Celtic hero Mikael Lustig and the mental toll which prompted Swedish star's retirement call

Mikael Lustig insists that now is the right time for hims to retire as the Celtic hero prepares to hang up his boots.

The Swedish right-back is a well thought of figure at Parkhead for his trophy-laden spell in Glasgow's east-end, which included eight Scottish Premiership titles on top of madcap antics in derby matches against Rangers. Currently back in his homeland with AIK, the 35-year-old's side have four matches to go in their Allsvenskan league, pushing for European placement next summer.

It became clear and obvious to the right-back though that his body can't quite hold up the with rigours of football like it used to. Lustig 's retirement coincides with another Swedish football hero hanging up his boots, Seb Larsson also calling it a day when AIK's term concludes in November. He told Fotbollskanalen : "Something I have always felt is that it should always feel good when you step out for training, you should be passionate about it.

"There have been a few too many times during the year and maybe even last year that you feel that you still have the same passion.

"But you have to work significantly more on yourself to get up to the level. It takes a toll on you mentally so in the end it was a pretty easy choice."