ERIK SVIATCHENKO admits he's heard the rumours linking him with a return to Celtic but insists that's all they are, for now.
The FC Midtjylland captain knows Celtic inside out after spending two seasons in Glasgow and has been suggested as a possible signing for Ange Postecoglou.
But, as speculation on his future continues, Sviatchenko is deep in preparation for the Champions League qualifier between FC Midtjyalland and Celtic, without knowing for sure which side he'll be on.
Addressing the speculation he could make a return to Celtic Park, he said:“I’ve heard those rumours too but it’s difficult for me to say more.
“When it’s rumours, it’s rumours. Unless I hear anything else it’s just a rumour.
“But I’ve always said Celtic is close to my heart as is Midtjylland. Those are the two clubs that I follow and whatever happens, happens. But it’s not up to me.
"You could argue that Celtic know what they would be getting with me and I know what the club is about.But it’s so difficult to talk about transfer rumours. For now it’s more speculation.
"I’m the captain of Midtjylland and it's something really proud of that.
"Then we’ll see what the transfer window will offer."
Sviatchennko, part of Brendan Rodgers' Invincibles, recalled fine memories of his trophy-laden stint in Scotland, but said he's now doiing everything he can to beat Celtic.
“I think I’m going to be playing against Celtic in this tie. It will be a great game and one that I’m looking forward to and also to see all the former players and staff", he told the Go Football Show.
“For now I’m just doing everything I can to beat Celtic and go through to the next stage.
"It's going to be amazing. It’s something I knew could happen with the draw with Celtic in the pot.
“And when it did happen it was a bit more special for me than it might be for some of my team-mates.
“And for Celtic it’s always funny to go up against former team-mates, especially because I had a really good time there.
“We had some special moments at that time with Celtic with some unprecedented things happened.
“It was crazy, especially going unbeaten through a season.
“Being a part of that first season as an integral member of the squad is something you look back upon and are always happy about."
Preseason @fcmidtjylland 🖤❤️🐺 pic.twitter.com/e3Q2idReDL
— Erik Sviatchenko (@eriksviat) July 1, 2021
The Danish defender, who turned out 63 times for Celtic, returned to Midtyjlland on an initial loan before making the permanenet switch.
But Sviatchenko says it could've been so different and he could still be a Cleltic player now if he hadn't suffered a nasty knee injury in 2017.
Asked if he'd still be at Celtic if not for his horror spell on the sidelines, he said: "I think so, actually, I think it was the worst of timing at that point.
“But I came back to Midtjylland and improved even more, played in the Champions League yet another time and feel that I have become a much better player than when I left Celtic."
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