Erik Sviatchenko is currently sporting a facial mask to support a broken nose. As he holidayed in Dubai in the opening days of the New Year, however, there was little to disguise a familiar face.
“I was walking into a restaurant as Callum McGregor was walking out,” said the former Celtic defender with a chuckle. “It was nice to see a player who I have so much respect for.”
McGregor might have been one of the few Celtic players to have headed into the January transfer break without the need of any facial affectation. The midfielder was one of only a handful of players who emerged from the game against Rangers with pass marks and for Sviatchenko, the influence of McGregor has been routinely underestimated.
Erik Sviatchenko: I still get goosebumps when I think of playing for Celtic against Rangers
“He has never been one to shout or swear at anyone,” said the Midtjylland defender.
“I have no doubt that he will end his career as a legend at Celtic. Scott Brown still looks like he has a fair bit of football in his legs but when the time comes, as it will come, for him to move on then McGregor has to be the next Celtic captain.
“He is a quiet leader. He is always respectful. Callum won’t be the one to shout the loudest but his work-rate is exceptional.
"He is a real team player, a guy who is all about the greater good. He won his respect by the way he played football and gave everything for the team. He is a fantastic talent but he is also an outstanding character, too. He would be a popular captain, that’s for sure.”
Still, if Celtic are feeling the heat at the moment, it has nothing to do with the sun that is on their backs out in Dubai.
The psychological manner of the defeat is as notable as the result itself.
For the first time in a decade, Celtic lost a derby on home soil with the Ibrox side’s win encouraging further suspicions that this is a title race that will go right to the wire.
Certainly, the stats this term would compel one towards that conclusion. Both are significantly better off than where they were this time last season having dropped only a few points other than against one another; Celtic slipped at Easter Road and Livingston, Rangers drew at Tynecastle and Pittodrie, but it has been a campaign in which the pace has been held steadily.
Erik Sviatchenko takes his leave of Celtic but the club will always be a part of him
What happens next will be intriguing. Neil Lennon looks certain to bolster his squad with reinforcements this month while Rangers have the luxury of coming back to a run of home games that ought to facilitate a continuation of the consistency they showed in the opening months of the campaign.
Sviatchenko, though, has backed Celtic to cope with the mental pressure that is something of a novel concept for them given their procession towards recent titles.
“I don’t know Neil Lennon personally,” said the Danish defender.
“But when I was at Celtic so many of the boys in the dressing room spoke very highly about his motivational qualities. We always knew that if we played his Hibs team it was a tough game.
“I also think that you have so many strong characters in the Celtic team. I watched the game against Rangers and I think it was one of the days when maybe too many players just did not play as they can.
"It can happen. But also, I think we can all see just how much Rangers have improved as a team too. This is the strongest they have been for a long time.
“But not only do the Celtic players know what it takes to take pressure and make it a positive thing because they have done that so often, they have big personalities too. They will not have enjoyed leaving for Dubai having lost that game. I think it will inspire them to come back focused and ready to go again.”
Celtic will be without Ryan Christie after the playmaker was disciplined for an incident involving Alfredo Morelos.
Still close friends with his former teammate, Sviatchenko re-iterated his firm place in Celtic’s camp over the suspension.
Brazilian kid Evander reminds Erik Sviatchenko of former Celtic stars
“It is ridiculous,” he said. “That is just my opinion. There was no intention and you can see that fairly clearly.
"But, Ryan has 17 goals this season which is a stunning return so far. If Celtic can have guys like Ryan and James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard back on it then they will be confident that they can turn things back in their favour.
“They have a strong squad and not just in terms of players but in terms of mentality, too. I think you can expect to see that when they come back from Dubai.”
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