Scottish football has had more Great Danes than Crufts.

A quick flick through the archives and a glance over some of the names that have collected a winners’ medal throws up what is almost a who’s who of internationalists hailing from the smallest of the Nordic countries, many of whom have triumphed on both sides of the Glasgow divide.

Peter Lovenkrands claimed two league titles, one Scottish Cup and three League Cups in the light blue of Rangers, while Thomas Gravesen, Marc Rieper, Ulrik Laursen and Morten Wieghorst all savoured the moment of thundering a league trophy into the Glasgow air as the green and white tickertape rained down at a jubilant Parkhead. Rieper and Wieghorst also have the memories of a League Cup triumph earned in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United back in 1997, with the former scoring the opener.

For the purposes of the record, bagged two Scottish Cups with Celtic.

In the ranking table, Erik Sviatchenko may be level with Rieper and Wieghorst in terms of prizes and trinkets, but the strapping centre-half is surely just a few months away from surpassing them both.

Since arriving at the Ladbrokes Premiership champions almost a year ago to the day, the Danish international has looked steady and assured at the heart of the Celtic defence and under Brendan Rodgers has become a regular in front of Craig Gordon.

It is a dream come true for the 25-year-old who as a child watched on from his homeland as his nation’s top talents migrated to Scotland in the pursuit of sporting greatness. Oh aye, and a Coca Cola Cup.

However, Sviatchenko is honest enough to admit the player he followed the most in Scotland wouldn’t necessarily be a popular choice among the Celtic support who grew to hate his trickey, pace, and play.

“When I was a child Laudrup was at the tail end of his career,” said Sviatchenko of Rangers icon Brian. “It would be wrong to say that such a great player faded.

“He just came to the end of a great career and everyone in Denmark knew how special he was.

“Even though he didn’t have a great success at Denmark when he came back to Copenhagen it was still a big thing for them to sign him after the clubs he’d been at and the success he enjoyed.

“He was part of the 1990 team and that is always a big thing in Denmark. I think Copenhagen signed him from Chelsea which was still a huge transfer at that time.

“I didn’t cheer him on that much in Rangers v Celtic games when he played here – I didn’t know too much about Scotland at that time.

“But of course it’s true to say that he was a huge name in Denmark for every child who enjoyed their football.”

For all Laudrup’s legacy – earned through three titles, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup – it’s actually Lovenkrands’ haul which tops the Danish chart.

Even at this relatively early stage of Sviatchenko’s Celtic career, though, you’d not bet against him surpassing all of his fellow countrymen that have plied their trade in Scotland. Especially as part of a team that shows no sign of slowing down as they rampage towards further domestic dominance.

Already with a League Cup tucked away this term, their unbeaten run and 19-point gap in the Premiership suggests Sviatchenko’s second league winners’ medal is nothing more than a formality. A Scottish Cup win is most certainly not beyond Rodgers’ men, either.

“You can watch a load of games on YouTube now and when I first came to Celtic I came across matches that some of these Danish players played in such as Brian Laudrup and Peter Lovenkrands,” said Sviatchenko.

“Morten Wieghorst and Marc Rieper played here too and people in Denmark always recall their time at Celtic.

“It’s nice to be another Dane that’s part of Scottish football and winning things.

“I will do everything I can to be as successful as the other Danes at Celtic and in Scotland.

“Being part of a successful Celtic is everyone’s aim.

“I’m very proud of my country and I’m proud that I’m a Dane playing abroad.

“I’m just grateful to have been part of two successes so far at Celtic and I want to keep going and winning things.

“It was nice to have a Danish flag to carry as we won the last trophy at Hampden.”

Sviatchenko has grown into a key figure at Celtic. Firstly under Ronny Deila, and even more so in Rodgers’ line-up.

The former Midtjylland defender has featured 28 times for the Northern Irishman this season including in all six Champions League group games, and has helped contribute towards no less than 13 clean sheets.

Already idolised back in his home land – his face now appears on the jersey of

His first youth club Sondermarken and is the current Danish league player of the year – but, with three and a half years still to go on his current deal, there is plenty time to create a lasting legacy here.

“I’ll do everything I can so we can lift as many titles as we can. I’m here to win trophies and be remembered,” he said.

“It has been a positive ride forward so far. There have been some bumps on the way but they are bumps I’ve been able to overcome with the help of my team-mates and the staff.”