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Neil Lennon plans Celtic summer recruitment drive

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments27

Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon would love the spending power of previous Old Firm managers but is realistic about the current financial climate.

Lennon guided his side to the last 16 of the Champions League this season before losing to Juventus.

And he is keen to bolster his squad ahead of next season.

"What I need is investment," he said. "If I can get £10m to spend on new players in the summer then we'll be even better."

Lennon, whose side are closing in on the SPL title and hold a 15-point lead, is eager to improve his squad but is realistic about his targets.

"This club is ripe: we've got really talented young players in the team. We haven't spent a lot of money; we've made a profit every (transfer) window and have cut the wage bill," he said.

"Sometimes, when you have that sort of cutback, then the quality is diluted at times and that's what we're seeing at the minute.

"Now, if I get the money that other Old Firm managers have had in the last 10 to 12 years, then I'll easily get more than 100 points (in the league) and make the last 16 of the Champions League on a regular basis.

"But, am I going to go and ask Peter Lawwell for £10m to £12m and he'll go: 'why?' and I'll say: 'I want to get to 100 points' and I'll get laughed out the door.

"We're trying to not take our eye off the ball and what you'll see this weekend is a fresh Celtic team ready to go for the title."

Meanwhile, Celtic striker Anthony Stokes hopes to agree a new contract "over the next couple of weeks".

The 24-year-old's current deal expires in the summer and the Irishman is keen to remain at the club.

"I've spoken to the gaffer about it and it's something we'll try to iron out," Stokes said.

"I love it here and playing for the club. I'd love to stay. I just want to focus on my football."

Stokes, who joined the club from SPL rivals Hibs in August 2010, is back in the starting line-up after missing five months of the season through injury.

"My contract is up at the end of the year but there's a year option on it so, it's something to discuss over the coming weeks.

"The injury has been unfortunate but two seasons before that I've scored goals and come back and scored goals again," he said.

"That's all I really worry about, there's nothing you can do about outside influences. I just want to focus on my football and try to stay in the side."

Meanwhile, Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has been named in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

Forster has broken into the England set-up under Roy Hodgson but has yet to make his international debut.

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27 comments

  • Comment posted by User0546857409, at 12:25 15 Mar 2013

    I don't understand why Celtic cant offer improved contracts to Hooper and Wanyama after such a good CL run which should
    bring in close to 20 million. They don't have a lot of debt and keeping the team together would ensure a good CL campaign next year, where is all the money going?

  • Comment posted by User0123120475, at 18:18 14 Mar 2013

    Stokes is only 24 years old and reckon he has still to hit his peak.It would certainly be worthwhile Celtic signing him up for another couple of years as he can be very useful on very difficult away grounds.If it doesn't work out after 2 years then Celtic should cash in while he's at a decent age and should get a fee of around 1.5/2mil.

  • Comment posted by User0830077009, at 13:19 15 Mar 2013

    #17
    Isn't just about money. Hooper is rumoured to be waiting for Spurs, Wanyama looks like he will be away to another top English club, Forster to a mid-table London team if their current manager stays and Mathews as well.

    Stokes will be given another year which won't be consolation to many but it does make sense.

  • Comment posted by User0094557980, at 13:33 15 Mar 2013

    we seem to have lost a competitive edge, players already know there off, the champions league is over and we have nothing left to compete for apart from the cup. we need to find out what we have next season. can lassad fill Hoopers boots given game time?. do we really need to replace wanyama with kayal, brown, ledley and now rogic in midfeild? could twardzik play a role next year?.

  • Comment posted by LiamD, at 18:38 15 Mar 2013

    Whenever I hear people saying Stokes isn't good enough for the CL I'm always reminded of the Rennes game a while back in the EL. He was absolutely brilliant in that game playing up front on his own against a decent team. I think he is capable of playing well against quality opposition and deserves a lengthy contract and a chance in the CL.

  • Comment posted by User0830077009, at 12:16 15 Mar 2013

    No one really expects 100 points but they did expect a team to be motivated for big domestic cup games both last season and this one. Unfortunately for Lennon that wasn't all down to the players.

  • Comment posted by SensibleTed, at 11:48 15 Mar 2013

    A bit of managing the fans expectations

    alphonse1949 I haven't head of half the players in the Celtic team either. Any team can win on the day. The players have motivation issues
    If you win the league, you achieve your goal. You should be winning at least one cup as well

    Celtic should be developing a team that Rangers will find difficult to beat and saving money to use at the right time!

  • Comment posted by Big Drum BangingGorillafromItsonlyanexcuse, at 19:07 15 Mar 2013

    it'll be interesting to see what kind of squad Celtic will have when Rangers return?

    It'll be more interesting to see if Rangers can make it back to the SPL without blowing all of their share money as they are running at a £1 million per month loss, very little TV revenue & the 2nd highest wage bill in Scottish football.

  • Comment posted by AllanJ, at 15:50 15 Mar 2013

    Lenny will get the £10m he wants and maybe more depending on how much the want aways command. Hooper will regret moving, he'll get nothing like the chance he gets with us in the EPL. Big Vic may "go" but don't be surprised is he is sold but then loaned back to us for another season to continue his football education and get game time. As for Forster who knows, I'd let him go and re-sign Boruc.

  • Comment posted by User0709977018, at 16:55 15 Mar 2013

    Hope Stokes will get his extension, he's a great player that loves Celtic. I really want him to stay

  • Comment posted by weeMartian, at 18:15 14 Mar 2013

    He is definitely worth holding onto if NL wants to maintain/build the breadth and depth of quality of the squad.

  • Comment posted by Le_Bon_Don, at 17:43 14 Mar 2013

    ...Pace isn't everything. You sometimes need a forward (or attacking mid) who just looks to drop into pockets of space and create opportunities for through balls or shots, especially in Europe. Look at Del Piero and Scholes, for example.

  • Comment posted by JMc, at 11:59 15 Mar 2013

    In all honesty i think they'll need to. Can see a few key players leaving in the summer. It's sad but thats what happens when you have a good european campaign.

  • Comment posted by User0190176741, at 17:07 15 Mar 2013

    @6 - Being a bit disrespectful about being beaten by players you have never heard of. I too look to win every game but we do not have a god given right to win each game. The league will be wrapped up soon and hopefully the cup to follow.

    Stokes should be given his contract as he is proven in the SPL and if hooper does leave what other proven strikers do we have?

  • Comment posted by Football_understand, at 23:43 15 Mar 2013

    @26 lol the same tv revenue as every other club in scotland.....remember scotland only got its sky deal as long as rangers were involved! I just think celtic will possilbly lose their best players....and may struggle to replace them!

  • Comment posted by doublewhitehoops, at 12:35 15 Mar 2013

    England can't have been watching Forster's recent performances !

  • Comment posted by User0028287727, at 14:27 15 Mar 2013

    We need new player to replace the outgoing ones, that much is obvious. Kayal seems to have lost his form since his injury and stokes is an SPL player, nothing more. Lassad can finish but not at the required standard for a decent push in the CL next year. Jury out on Michu. We need to buy a striker and a midfielder. Only seen Rogic once and he didn't impress too much but early days. Lets see..

  • Comment posted by Football_understand, at 11:39 15 Mar 2013

    Will be interesting to see what type of squad celtic have by the time rangers return.........................

  • Comment posted by User0776848768, at 11:17 15 Mar 2013

    @Scott 1207

    I couldn't agree with you more. It is unacceptable to lose the number of games that we have this season to teams containing players I've never heard of! There will be players at Celtic Park earning more than the entire Ross County team. Given that we should be getting rid of half the team that lost in Dingwall, Lennon (or preferably a new coach) should have plenty cash to spend.

  • Comment posted by User0435259100, at 19:36 14 Mar 2013

    @5 he is out of contract in the summer in the summer so we can't sell him. He leaves for free if he doesn't get a new contract. I agree with @1, he is good enough for the spl but he is a long way off CL level. Mind you, miku and lassad don't even look spl level. questionable football intelligence as offside too much, and is too selfish in front of goal. If hooper leaves we need two new strikers

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