NEIL LENNON has told Mikey Johnston that he can make areal impact in the Celtic side this season but he has some key areas that he has to focus on if he’s to enjoy that kind of success.
“It’s a big season for Michael because it’s the next one,” Lenny said. “I like him. He needs to get fitter and more robust and he’s been told that. He came off in the Youth Cup Final and Scottish Cup Final with cramp.
“But we need to look at the conditioning of all the players who aren’t playing regularly. We need to work them a bit more so they’re up to speed when they come in.
“Vakoun Issouf Bayo went away with the Ivory Coast and ruptured his hamstring. Jack Hendry picked up an injury in that area too.
“We need to stay on top of those boys and make sure they are getting as much work as those who are playing. We can’t have them being at risk of injury 60 or 70 minutes into games. Michael falls into that category but we believe in him – he started the Cup Final and that was a shot in the arm for him.”
Another young star who is set to have a big season under Neil Lennon is 16 year old Karamoko Dembele.
“Karamoko is part of the first-team squad now. We have to mindful of his age and his development but you don’t want to curtail talent.
“Wayne Rooney made his debut at 16 too. I’m not saying Karamoko is going to be as good as him, they’re different types, but he’s very talented. He should be mixing with the first team now. He’s ready,” Lenny said to the media as reported by Daily Record, before flying out to Austria.
Meanwhile Tom Rogic appears to have picked up an early injury and was missing from the travelling party that left Glasgow yesterday as he is staying on at Lennoxtown to receive treatment.
