Celtic defender Mikael Lustig does not expect to play until next season

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig does not expect to play for the club again until the start of next season.

The Sweden international has been plagued with injuries since his arrival at Celtic Park in January 2012, restricting him to just 36 starts.

Lustig missed a large part of the current season because of a hip problem, and he appeared to have put his troubles behind him when he scored twice against Motherwell on his return to action in January following an eight-week absence.

But Lustig has not played since February 7 when he limped off during Celtic’s 2-0 victory over Dundee at Dens Park in the Scottish Cup after suffering an ankle ligament injury.

And the 28-year-old has revealed he is making slow progress in his recovery, and is now setting his sights on the next campaign.

“I have to put this season to one side,” Lustig said.

“I have been out for six weeks now and the foot is still swollen. I have a stretched ligament on the inside of my foot and bruised the bone on the outside.

“It may take three months before I’m good again. But I have to look on the positive side because I don’t require an operation.

“We will see how long it takes, but it looks like the season is over.”

Fellow Celtic right-back Adam Mathews has also been absent with an ankle injury for the past two weeks, but the Wales international could to return to action against Dundee United on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes familiarity is breeding contempt for some players ahead of his team’s fourth successive match with United.

The teams drew 1-1 at Tannadice in the Scottish Cup and Celtic won the replay 4-0 just days after Gordon helped his side to a 2-0 League Cup final triumph at Hampden over United.

Saturday sees United arrive at Celtic Park on Scottish Premiership duty, and the fixture takes place against a backdrop of red cards in the previous three meeting.

United have had four men sent-off while Celtic have had two dismissals, and Gordon has not ruled out further red cards in the fourth game.

Gordon said: "Possibly. It is never nice to lose and if you are on the back of a couple of losses it does irritate you.

"As professional players, that is what is going to happen. You are going to get annoyed by the fact that you haven't won in a couple of games.

"It is unfortunate it has happened but this is another game and if we have to try to win the battles to win the game then that's what has to happen.

"I have not been involved in any of the incidents. I have been well out the way out of it.

"And there hasn't been animosity there, certainly not towards me, everything has been fine.

"We have to concentrate on our game, keep our discipline and keep as many players on the pitch as we can."