NEIL LENNON is adamant there is no chance of Celtic entertaining bids for James Forrest, as CQN forecast earlier today.
Reports claimed Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg were preparing a £12million offer for the Scotland international winger with wages of £70,000-per-week.
However, the Hoops boss insists there will be no more departures of key players following Kieran Tierney’s £25million switch to Arsenal last week.
Lennon revealed the champions had rebuffed an approach from ex-gaffer Brendan Rodgers who fancied whisking Callum McGrgeor off to Leicester City while French side Lille have been linked with Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer has also been mentioned with his former manager in the Midlands and Serie A outfit AC Milan.
The Irishman, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “He is another one we don’t want to go.
“A big player, a big goalscorer. He has been here a long, long time and he is under contract.
“There is no confirmation of that (Zenit interest), it is just speculation, but it doesn’t surprise me. However, from my point of view we want James here and he is happy here, as well.
“It’s important to hold on to your better players, we have already sold one, so we don’t want to sell any more. We are looking to add to the squad rather than selling any more of our important players and James certainly falls into that category.”
The 28-year-old raider has become a key player at the Hoops in recent seasons and has contributed massively to the historic treble treble success story.
He will be emphasising his importance to the team again tomorrow night when Lennon’s side take on Cluj in the Champions League third round qualifier at a packed Parkhead.
The tie is delicately poised at 1-1 with Forrest claiming the all-important away goal in last week’s first leg in Romania.
