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Fullname: Gustaf Johan Lagerbielke
aka: Gustaf Lagerbielke
Born: 10 April 2000
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Signed: 16 August 2023 (£3m from IFS Elfsborg)
Loan Out: 26 August 2024 – [ 31 May 2025] (to FC Twente)
Left: –
Position: Defender, Centre-half
Debut:2023-08-20: Kilmarnock 1-0 Celtic, League Cup
Squad No.: 4
Internationals: Sweden
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
Lagerbielke arrived as a project player who actually had proven himself back in Sweden, and was even named the Swedish defender of the season later in the calendar year despite having left half way through their calendar-based season to join Celtic. Young and confident, he was a necessary transfer in following the loss of fellow countryman Starfelt.
As a player he was tall although not yet fully physically developed like others, but the main concern that came from the online statisticians was Lagerbielke’s pace, movement and short range passing. That was to be an issue, although could be worked on.
He had an unfortunate start, albeit he was not the fault, with a surprise defeat to Kilmarnock in the league cup and then a goalless draw v St Johnstone the next weekend. He then had a shakey performance v Sevco in a 1-0 victory at Ibrox, getting out of jail via a VAR decision following a goal conceded being reversed after he had lost the ball, allowing Sevco to score. Soon he was sent off sent off in his the Champions League opener v Feyenoord which Celtic lost 2-0 and that likely hit his confidence.
He was soon benched, and to the surprise of everyone, his Celtic colleague Liam Scales came out of nowwhere to be the most convincing central defender at Celtic, mainly due CCV still struggling to overcome his post-surgery hangover and Nawrocki being out injured long-term.
It was believed that Rodgers didn’t favour Lagerbielke due to his lack of pace, and it didn’t help when a frustrated Rodgers publicly stated his frustrations at efforts of certain players:
“Nawrocki & Lagerbielke need to show why they should be in squads in training, Tilio similar situation – all fit- ‘Competition can be the best coach’”
Rodgers (Dec 2023)
This wasn’t necessarily helpful, but did explain (in part) the absence of Lagerbielke. He did hit back on the field when he came on v Feyenoord in the Champions League (Dec 2023), and scored a header at the death to win, helping Celtic to their first Champions League group match victory in ten years! He deserved his moment in the sun.
“It was a great moment for [Lagerbielke], because he hasn’t been involved in a lot of the squads, but his attitude in training has been superb and he’s always been ready. It was a really nice moment.”
Brendan Rodgers (Dec 2023)
Yet only a few days later, a media outlet was claiming that Celtic were “prepared to listen to offers” for him to go in search of regular football, and he wasn’t even in the squad for the following matches. It was confusing, and the questions about Lagerbielke were epitomising certain concerns around Celtic during the first half of the 2023/24 season in this new regime.
Some cynics remarked that moving him on was more due to freeing up wages to bring other players in. There was arguably sufficient cover for the centre half roles.
The more sympathetic felt that Lagerbielke deserved more of a chance and his situation should have been handled better. His initial record at Celtic was decent with no defeats in any of his league appearances.
He was supposed to go out on loan to Lecce in Italy in January 2024 but the deal was pulled as Carter-Vickers was repeatedly injured, and cover was needed. However, he ended up only playing once to the end of the season, but in fairness this was in part due to the return to form of Carter-Vickers so only one place left to partner him, and there was competition from Scales & Nawrocki.
He ended up out on loan to FC Twente for a season in 2024/25.
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Quotes
“Gustaf Lagerbielke is a very good CB, almost a superstar in Sweden, with maxed out defending probability and very high passing game probability and even a bit of finishing probability. Replacement value for @IFElfsborg1904 = €1,984,318. So he is undervalued. That makes him a very interesting target for a bigger club.”
Joost van der Leij @JoostvanderLeij (Aug 2023), https://twitter.com/JoostvanderLeij/status/1688955770698706951
“He is an exciting, talented young player who has great attributes and someone who I think is ready for the challenges that Celtic will bring.”
Brendan Rodgers on Lagerbielke – 16/08/2023
“Nawrocki & Lagerbielke need to show why they should be in squads in training, Tilio similar situation – all fit- ‘Competition can be the best coach’”
Rodgers (Dec 2023)
“It was a great moment for [Lagerbielke], because he hasn’t been involved in a lot of the squads, but his attitude in training has been superb and he’s always been ready. It was a really nice moment.”
Brendan Rodgers on Lagerbielke’s winner v Feyenoord (Dec 2023)
“I was in the right place at the right time at the end!”
On his winning goal v Feyenoord (Dec 2023)
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Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2023-24 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2024-25 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
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Scottish Cup
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Scottish League Cup
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Pictures
Forums
Articles
- Gustaf Lagerbielke: Celtic sign defender from Elfsborg on five-year deal [BBC]
- Gustaf Lagerbielke: Celtic sign Sweden defender on five-year deal for £3m [Sky Sports]
Links
Notes
Articles
Lagerbielke ‘pushed’ for Celtic move
https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c9w08nydkrxo
Published 16 August 2023
Gustaf Lagerbielke was “pushing” to complete his move to Celtic once he learned of the Scottish champions’ interest earlier this month.
The Sweden defender, 23, has joined from Elfsborg on a five-year deal.
“I’m ready to go straight into the action,” Lagerbielke told Celtic TV.
“It all happened pretty fast. I was pushing for making the deal happen.”
Lagerbielke describes himself as a “hard working defender”.
“I always want to win,” he added. “I like to play out from the back, keep my composure, hopefully heading a couple of goals this season.
“Every player that signs for Celtic has an ambition to win all the domestic trophies and do well in Europe too.”