CELTIC’S SHAW-FIRE WINNER

FORMER Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis has congratulated Neil Lennon in his swoop for Liam Shaw.

The highly-rated 19-year-old midfielder signed a pre-contract with Celtic earlier this week, as CQN reported.

And veteran gaffer Pulis, who only lasted 45 days in a whirlwind stop at Hillsborough, insisted he saw enough in that brief spell to to realise the new Bhoy is destined for the top.

The much-travelled coach, who has also had stints at Stoke City, Crystal Palace, West Brom and Middlesbrough among others, reckoned the prospect will flourish in the Premiership at Parkhead.

And the 63-year-old hopes Lennon will still be at the Hoops to bring through the versatile six foot-plus performer who is also comfortable at centre-back.

Pulis, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Liam is a terrific signing for Celtic and Lenny’s done a good job in finding him and taking him to Scotland because lots of people were ringing me up and asking about him.

“I had a Premier League club get in touch and I gave them the same answer as I gave everyone else – that he’s a very good player with tremendous potential – so I’d definitely say they’ve pulled off a good signing.

“I only had five weeks at Sheffield Wednesday and in my time there I got him in the team pretty early. I’d expect him to have a really good career in the game.

“His attitude is absolutely fantastic and with the way things are in the world just now then one of the most important things when you sign players at the moment is their character.

“The game has become so fluffy, so if you can get good players with good characters then you’ve now swum the Channel.

“Liam’s a strong character. He’s one of those who wants to be a player and, being around him, you get the opinion he wants to be the best he possibly can be.

“He’s quick, he’s got two good feet and he can play in a number of positions. The only thing he would lack just now is experience and he needs that.”

Looking at Hoops boss Lennon and the criticism that has come his way during a disappointing campaign, Pulis added: “I’ve got great respect for Lenny. He’s a good manager who has done an unbelievable job.

“He’ll have more than enough knowledge and experience to let Liam know what’s expected and needed at Celtic.

“Neil has done a magnificent job in his three spells at Celtic – one as player and two as manager – and doesn’t deserve some of the criticism for one bad season.

“I know things haven’t gone as planned, but I know from experience there can be mitigating circumstances which people don’t see and you can’t always make public.

“I understand that everything is heightened in Scotland this season because of 10 In A Row and all that but Neil is a good manager.”

TURNBULL’S THUNDERBOLT DOES THE TRICK