‘NO HUGE REBUILDING AT CELTIC,’ LENNON

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NEIL LENNON doesn’t believe Ronny Deila’s replacement will face a massive rebuilding job at Celtic.

However, the Irishman, who has been linked with the role he quit four years ago, reckons a priority signing should be another goalscorer to help Leigh Griffiths.
Lennon said: “I don’t think Celtic need major surgery. People will be saying this player should go or this should happen.
“But it doesn’t work that way. I think they need a couple of additions, there’s no question about that.
“They need support for Leigh Griffiths, someone to weigh in with some goals.
“They need an injection of pace in the team, as well. That was apparent in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday.
“But I don’t think it needs a major overhaul, that’s for sure.”
Lennon also insisted his old club will benefit for the introduction of the current Ibrox club in the top flight in the new season.
He said: “The Scottish game can sell itself better unspecified-36around the world in terms of TV rights.
“Obviously, the competition is going to be better. The interest will return to where it was four or five years ago and that can only benfit all clubs, including Celtic.
“They should be able to look at bringing in a better calibre of player, too.”
Asked about the champion-elect’s selling-on policy, Lennon answered: “In the past, that philosophy worked for quite awhile when you think of the likes of Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Gary Hooper and Virgil van Dijk.
“They all came in for low transfer fees on low wages and went for big money in the end.
“Players get to a certain point when they’re playing in the Premiership and, unfortunately for Scottish football, next door is the Premier League.
“It’s awash with money and eventually that’s where players want to go and challenge themselves.”img_1539.jpg
Lennon, who was sacked by relegated Championship side Bolton last month, also disagreed with Deila’s agent, Tore Pedersen, who claimed demands at Parkhead were unrealistic.
The 44-year-old former Hoops skipper said: “That’s the nature of Celtic. When you take on a Celtic job – or when you go there as a player – you have to deal with those expectations, which are huge.
“There is always pressure and you need to learn to live with it.
“Of course, it’s an intense environment and it has never changed. It will be there next season, too.
“There will be the usual questions. Can we get into the Champions League? Can we win the league? Can we be successful again domestically?
“In Europe this season, I thought Celtic looked good enough to get through the group stages.
“I thought the draw was okay and expected them to beat Malmo.
“But I know from my own experience, these games are so difficult. They are so early in the season and, of course, they are some of the most important of the entire campaign.
“When I managed the club in my last two years, the Champions League was the be-all-and-end-all because we knew we were going to be so dominant in the domestic game.
“Now that’s changed a little bit, but there is still the expectation for Celtic to qualify for Europe’s top tournament.”
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