Celtic's forgotten man Gustaf Lagerbeilke has insisted he wants to play regular football and revealed that a potential transfer exit route was blocked in January. 

The Hoops paid £3million to land the centre-back from Swedish side IF Elfsborg last summer, and even handed him a five-year contract. But things haven't worked out for the 23-year-old at Parkhead. 

He has featured just nine times this season and appears to be surplus to requirements under boss Brendan Rodgers. 

Lagerbeikle admits he's disappointed by his lack of game time and has stated he will review his situation at the end of the campaign. He also claims he could've departed the club to join Italian club Lecce during the winter window but Celtic's injury crisis at the time prevented the move from being sanctioned.

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He told Aftonbladet: "There were many clubs that were interested. But then there was an injury situation in the club, which meant that nothing came of it. It was cancelled because of the injury.

"Right now the focus is on training as well as possible and continuing to show that I can play. We can still win the Double as we fight with Rangers for the league title and stay in the cup as well.

"I want to play and will do everything in my power to help the team. At the same time, I know that I can play in the best leagues, so it is a situation we will review after the season."

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Asked if he has been given a reason for his lack of games, Lagerbielke stated: “I don't really have that. Right now I feel like I'm really in the shape of my life.

“I am significantly stronger and faster than ever and also mentally, for a long time, I have worked up a stable foundation that provides security.

“Then of course it's frustrating that I don't get to show it every week because I know I have delivered. But there is nothing else to do but keep going.

“I enjoy Glasgow as a city very much and Celtic is a big club. I really have great opportunities to develop here.

“I have good team-mates and feel that I have their trust. It's been a learning time here where I feel like I've developed. The only thing missing is playing time.

“There is fierce competition and we win most matches and there are very talented players with whom I compete. So I have to go ahead and show that I'm going to play.”