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Neil Lennon hopes to add to Celtic squad in January

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments77

Interview - Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Neil Lennon has already identified signing targets for the January transfer window.

And the Celtic manager confirmed talks over an extension to Gary Hooper's deal will continue in the coming days.

"Gary's representatives are coming up at the weekend and hopefully we can get something done on a positive note there," said Lennon.

"And Victor (Wanyama), we will keep plugging away and see if we can come to conclusion that pleases everybody."

Celtic qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by on Wednesday.

And although Lennon admits he would like to add to his squad, he does not expect many new faces next month.

Celtic forward Gary Hooper
Hooper scored Celtic's opener in the 2-1 win against Spartak Moscow

"I wouldn't envisage spending a lot of money, I don't think I need to," he explained. "I'm pretty happy with the squad I've got.

"We won the game [against Spartak Moscow] without Wanyama and had James Forrest out for most of the campaign. He's not far away and Anthony Stokes will be back mid-January.

"There are areas where we would like to enhance the squad, and we've been working on that for quite a while."

Hooper has been one of the standouts in the Celtic side since his £2.4m move from Scunthorpe United in 2010. Goals in this season's Champions League have led to speculation linking him with a move to England.

But Lennon has repeatedly stated the Englishman will not be leaving the east end of Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Lennon revealed he received a surprise message after the success of guiding his side to the knockout stages of Europe's elite club competition.

"Sir Alex (Ferguson) sent me a text congratulating me," said Lennon. "He's been fantastic throughout the whole campaign, with little bits of advice.

"He was delighted for us and the club. I said 'I hope to God we don't draw you.' He said, 'If we do, I hope there is a nice bottle of wine waiting!'"

Celtic and their manager also received congratulations from former boss Martin O'Neill, who brought Lennon to Glasgow in 2000.

"That was a fantastic achievement," said the Sunderland manager. "With the SPL maybe not as strong as it was a couple of years ago, their performances in Europe are even more remarkable.

"To get through that group is just remarkable, it's absolutely fantastic. Well done to the club and well done to Neil Lennon."

Domestic action is back on the agenda for Celtic when they face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday and Lennon says it's important his team cement their place at the top of the table.

"We want to be consistent in the league and work on our home form to improve that," he added.

"Our away form has been very good but we have a tough game tomorrow. I'll be looking for a good performance.

"I'm sure I'll get that from the players being on such a high from the other night."

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77 comments

  • Comment posted by U15530560, at 15:38 7 Dec 2012

    Craig From Stirling... Forster's form has dipped over the last few weeks...

    Can I ask if you (A) Posted that to get a reaction? Did you see Forster's form against Hearts? Possibly one of his finest performances in a Celtic jersey, saved a penalty too or (B) are actually Craig Gordon who is on the lookout for a club?

  • Comment posted by Hail__Hail, at 19:47 7 Dec 2012

    @34

    Indeed. After only beating teams like Barcelona and Spartak Moscow I bet Hooper dreams of the day he can go up against Reading, Wigan, Fulham, West Brom, Southampton, Norwich, Stoke, etc, etc.

    Anyway, I would be happy if we get our current talent signed up on big contracts in time for January. I dont think we need to sign anyone to be honest

  • Comment posted by GioGoice, at 15:28 7 Dec 2012

    Tell you what Craig, if Kevin Bridges is ever struggling for stand up material he could use some of those lines!!

  • Comment posted by U15425176, at 19:48 7 Dec 2012

    @34
    How many Championship teams offer Champions League football? I fail to see how playing Cardiff or Crystal Palace compares to beating Barcelona or Spartak-Moscow on your home turf?
    If Hooper is going to move it won't be this January.

  • Comment posted by U2896959, at 15:36 7 Dec 2012

    Man Utd would be far from the worst draw we could get.

  • Comment posted by U15499270, at 16:54 7 Dec 2012

    Good luck to Celtic, they've made it this far into the Champs league, why are they automatically written off? At home they will take some beating, if they can improve their away form, they could cause trouble, hopefully they'll draw United and win with a penalty in Fergie time.

  • Comment posted by U15502288, at 15:34 7 Dec 2012

    Swap Fernando Torres for Gary Hooper. Yeah agreed Hooper much better

  • Comment posted by U15473859, at 17:12 7 Dec 2012

    The scouting system has been brilliant for Lennon. We also have a steady stream of young talent coming through. I saw the figure of £23 mentioned so Neil should carry on doing what he's doing because he doing a fantastic job up to now. HAIL HAIL

  • Comment posted by U15529235, at 19:58 7 Dec 2012

    why are people so bitter? why come on here just to have a go? this is a Celtic thread, if you don't like them don't comment on it. Makes sense to me.

    The Scottish League is poor, we all get that I don't really see @37's point here?

    The population of Scotland is 5m, compared to 53m in England. Of course the leagues will be stronger, more fans equals more money.

    Doesn't take a genius.

  • Comment posted by U14972306, at 18:44 7 Dec 2012

    26. Football_understand

    @36 we (rangers) already have a decent team that would be more than comfertable in the SPL,
    +++
    I think Newco FC have more taxing problems than worrying about top flight football at the moment.

  • Comment posted by U15487602, at 17:01 7 Dec 2012

    No point any kind marquee signing if even possible. We've got good solid unit there working in harmony. A new big signing could be the spanner in the works.

  • Comment posted by Chunky Monkey, at 22:19 7 Dec 2012

    I must say well done to Celtic and enjoy the ride

  • Comment posted by OddJobLot, at 21:25 7 Dec 2012

    @60
    It's because they're upset. While no SPL club had achieved the big step of the KO stages, they could point and snigger. Celtic have taken that away from them.
    Scottish fans of all clubs should be pleased. It raises the co-efficient for the UEFA comps and may lead to an automatic group spot. Keep up the good work Celtic.

  • Comment posted by U14832345, at 21:18 7 Dec 2012

    it's funny De Boer at Ajax getting rave reviews in CL yet he was spanked by Real. Celtic beat the best team in Europe on shoe string budget and people still negative about them

  • Comment posted by U15445698, at 19:59 7 Dec 2012

    I see tomslaford is sitting in AGAIN on a friday night with only hate for company ah bless

  • Comment posted by U15247029, at 19:26 7 Dec 2012

    January is not a good time to sign new players. It's hard to bring someone in at this stage in the season and expect immediate improvement. New players often take time to settle. There's also the potential to disrupt a so far successful team. Unless it's deemed essential I'd be wary of tinkering unnecessarily.

  • Comment posted by chuckjaeger, at 18:23 7 Dec 2012

    There's no pleasing some people, top of the table with a game in hand, last sixteen of the CL. Still doing the business despite these high pressure European games. I was sceptical when Lennon was appointed but I honestly can't fault the guy these days.

    He's stopped whining and playing the victim all the time, more rounded, more professional. Good technical nous and a great leader/man manager.

  • Comment posted by U15487602, at 16:04 7 Dec 2012

    Need an experienced centre half. A leader to command the defence. Apart from that I really can't think what else we need. Miku is away so another striker might be a shout. I like Johnny Russell but he wouldn't be cheap.

  • Comment posted by frazmcg, at 15:46 7 Dec 2012

    Fraser Foster, Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper will be away in the summer if not January, Celtic will need to replace them.Doing well in the champions league is a double edged sword.

  • Comment posted by OddJobLot, at 11:04 9 Dec 2012

    @76
    Your prediction? Where's Dortmund? Runaway winners in their group and unbeaten. What about Juve? Tougher group than Bayern, yet runaway winners.....
    Let's face it, you looked at familiar names and just picked them without looking at form in the comp.
    Celtic face a tough draw, no matter who they get, but that also applies to any side getting Celtic.

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