NEIL LENNON has given a transfer update ahead of Celtic’s match against Hungarian Champions Ferencvaros in The Champions League Second Qualifying Round. The Irishman said that the club’s transfer pursuits are not contingent upon success in the game against the Budapest side.
The manager told the media conference ahead of the game that qualification would be a boost to the club’s finances but that they didn’t need to qualify in order to afford new recruits.
“No, we don’t need to get it. If we get into the Champions League then it puts us in an even stronger position to attract players and have more finances available. But financially we are in a decent, healthy position at the minute. Maybe from a footballing view the player might say the Champions League is a big carrot to come here.
“So it’s important to get Champions League football for so many different reasons and that’s another one to add.”
Shane Duffy and David Turnbull appear to be at the centre of Celtic’s transfer plans for the next six weeks, the manager told the Glasgow Times that there had been no change to the situation regarding Turnbull since Sunday’s trip to Dundee United. He also gave updates regarding incomings, outgoings and even links to Trabzonspor striker Caleb Ekuban.
Celtic have been locked in talks with Motherwell about the transfer of David Turnbull, one of Lennon’s prime targets last season. Despite talks, there has been no breakthrough regarding the transfer of the 21-year-old and he is set to face Glentoran tomorrow evening.
“No updates. I spoke to Peter yesterday and we are no further forward than we were after Dundee United really. He is a good player.”
Lennon believes that he needs to concentrate on his job whilst the Head of Football Operations Nicky Hammond works in the background on signing new potential players. With Tom Rogic having been touted for the Celtic Park exit, Lennon has said that he hopes that there are no exits as he is happy with his squad.
“I have to concentrate on the job at hand. We have our eye on a couple of potential signings, but we are nowhere near fulfilling any of those at the minute. I can’t really add anything more to that.
“I would hope that we are not going to lose any more players. I am happy with the squad, but I would like to make a couple of more additions, as I’ve said over the past few weeks.
“A lot of these things can be protracted, and we may look at later on in the window when we might be able to get better value for money for players as well.”
Whilst yesterday was dominated with rumours about Trabzonspor striker Caleb Ekuban. Turkish Media claimed that the ex-Leeds United striker was reportedly the subject of a bid from the Scottish Champions. However, Lennon revealed that this was the first that he had heard of the player shooting down the rumours that a deal was imminent.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing. I’m getting all this speculation and chat and rumours, and this is the age we live in. But I can tell you hand on heart that it’s the first time I’ve heard of this player. I’m not aware of any bids or contact with the player or the club or representatives.”
