NEIL LENNON is remaining tight-lipped over reports he was spying on Partizan Belgrade’s teenage centre-half Strahinja Pavlovic on Thursday.
The Celtic boss was in attendance as the Serbians beat Kilmarnock’s conquerors Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-0 at the Belle Vue Stadium in Rhyl in the Europa League second qualifying round, first leg tie, as CQN reported yesterday.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “I ended up in with the Partizan fans. That was an eye-opener, as well.
“There was an Irishman in the middle of it. He must have got lost!
“We were looking at a player. I’m just doing my job.
“I’m not going to divulge who it was, obviously.
“A lot would fall into place if we do qualify, but I’m uneasy talking about qualification as we are still so far off it.
“We’re making good inroads at the minute, but it’s been a very good start.”
Pavlovic, 18, is seen as a rising star at Partizan after making hs first team breakthrough in February. The ball-playing central defender has already been linked with a £4.5million move to Juventus, but the deal never materialised.
Lennon has already spent almost £12million on defenders this summer after bringing in Christopper Jullien, £7million from Toulouse, Boli Bolingoli, £3million from Rapid Vienna, and Hatem Abd, £1.6million from Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
However, the Irishman has revealed there will be more to follow and Pavlovic is on his shopping list as he strengthens his squad for the rigours of a massive campaign at home and abroad.
