LENNY’S DEADLINE-DAY REVELATION

NEIL LENNON has revealed he just missed out on a last-gasp deadline-day signing before the winter transfer window closed at midnight on Friday.

The Celtic manager was at Parkhead as the clock ticked down and he attempted to bring in an experienced campaigner to strengthen his squad for the second half of a crucial campaign, as CQN reported.

Lennon did not name the player, but it was almost certainly Newcastle’s Ghanaian international winger Christian Atsu. Terms on a loan switch had already been agreed between the clubs, but the 28-year-old player, who cost £16.2million when he signed from Chelsea in May 2017, decided to remain on Tyneside.

At the end of a busy period, the Hoops gaffer declared himself “happy” with his £5.5million purchases, Polish striker Patryck Klimala and Ivorian midfield enforcer Ismaila Soro with the 21-year-olds signing four-and-a-half-year contracts.

WELCOME TO THE HOOPS…Patryk Klimala makes his debut at Firhill last month.

Asked where he was in the last few hours of the window, Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, replied: “I was at work, at the stadium. That’s always the case on the last day of the transfer window in case something comes up.

“I thought we were close, but we couldn’t get it done, so that’s the end of it.

“I’m happy with the ins. We’ve streamlined a little bit, as well, players who needed to get games.

“So, the squad is strong. If we keep everybody fit and we get a few back, as well, we’re going to be stronger. We’ll need that for February as it’s a busy month.

“You are always looking, but January is a very difficult month. There wasn’t a lot of business done overall, so I’m happy with the squad.

“I wasn’t disappointed. You don’t get your hopes up, put it that way. You look and shop around, but clubs want to hold onto their players and players have their own agendas.

“There is no guarantee you’ll get anybody in. If we had got one more in great, if not, great.”

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