Neil Lennon reckons Celtic Park could be the ideal place for Donny van de Beek to reignite his career

Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has backed his old club to be the place for Donny van de Beek to kick-start his career. The struggling Dutchman has been on the fringes of English Premier League side Manchester United for some time now, and in a report today by 90mins the Parkhead club have been mentioned as retaining an interest in his services this summer.

Now of course, any potential deal would have stumbling blocks to overcome at first in regards finances. The midfielder will be on mammoth wages at the Manchester club and it is also being reported that United would be looking for a significant transfer fee for the 26-year-old former Ajax man. Likewise, his wages would have to be subsidised by the Scottish Premiership Champions to a certain extent.

Despite this however, ex-player and manager Lennon insists that Celtic Park could be the ideal place for the forgotten Dutchman to restart his lagging footballing career. Speaking to the Go Radio Football Show, the Lurgan man said: “Possibly – his career has sort of stalled a bit. He was outstanding for Ajax the season they got to the semi-finals of the Champions League in that really good young Ajax team.

“He went to United and it didn’t work out and he went on loan to Everton and that didn’t work out either. So he needs a kickstart and maybe Celtic is that place for him. He’s certainly shown he’s got the pedigree and you never lose it, you just sometimes lose your confidence or your hunger and lose your way a little bit.

“Players of that calibre just need a restart and maybe he’s thinking Celtic might be that place to go but I mean, there’s a lot of work to be done in a deal involving that. He’ll be on huge money, let’s not beat around the bush here. Realistically, if you’re talking about McTominay, Tierney or Van de Beek, it’ll probably be a loan and Celtic making a contribution towards the wages.”

Paul Gillespie

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I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

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