By Frank McAvennie

17th Oct, 2023 | 2:11pm

Gustaf Lagerbielke facing extended spell on Celtic sidelines - expert

Gustaf Lagerbielke won’t be back in the Celtic starting XI any time soon.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie suggested that even though Lagerbielke scored for Sweden whilst on international duty, he won’t move any further up the pecking order at Parkhead.

The 23-year-old netted his first international goal on Friday (13 October) for Sweden in just his second senior appearance for the club.

Lagerbielke has made seven appearances for Celtic so far this season after joining from Elfsborg in August but with the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Nat Phillips will fall down the pecking order.

The Swede dropped out of the squad for the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock before the international break.

The centre-back has made a few costly errors this season and most notably gave the ball away to Cyriel Dessers in the lead up to the opening goal when they faced Rangers at Ibrox before it was luckily disallowed.

When asked if Lagerbielke could be back in the starting lineup following his goal for Sweden, McAvennie told Football Insider: “I think he is a prospect.

“I do not think he was meant to go into the team straight away. Coming from where he was, it is not the same as Scottish football.

“People have this misunderstanding that it is easy. He is only young and you do not get the time on the ball that you might have got at other teams.

“I think he is a great prospect and I would not be worried if he comes into the side.“

In other news, winger wants to quit Celtic for good after talks with chiefs.