Neil Lennon

Celtic must add "more power" and "more physicality" to the squad for their return to the Champions League group stage next season, says former manager Neil Lennon.

Having succeeded Lennon last summer after Celtic's first trophyless season in 11 years, Ange Postecoglou won a Premiership and League Cup double.

Celtic last featured in the Champions League groups five years ago.

"They'll need to spend," Lennon told BBC Scotland Sportsound.

"They need a bit more power and another centre forward. They need a bit more physicality in the team.

"They're small but quick, dynamic players and use the ball really well. But when you take that huge step up from Scottish football to Europe, they will need more strength in depth for sure.

"Losing Tom Rogic is a blow because he's a mercurial player so they might need a number 10 type to augment what they have in midfield.

"But they have the potential now to spend decent money because of the huge windfall from getting to the Champions League."





Cypriot officials make Scottish referees look brilliant'

Lennon is relishing his fresh start abroad, taking over as Omonia Nicosia boss in February and steering the club to silverware on Wednesday with victory in the Cypriot cup final.

They "did it the hard way", after having defender Shehu Abdullahi sent off just five minutes into the goalless draw before prevailing on penalties.

Lennon watched the shootout from the stands after his frustration boiled over - and has revealed his angry rant at the referee was pre-planned.

"I got sent off in the 119th minute," he said. "I'd said to [coach] Garry Parker, 'this is going to penalties, here's the list'.

"He asked where I was going and I said, 'I'm going to give it to this guy because he's been doing my nut in all night.'

"We have a problem with referees over here. You think I'm bad, but my goalkeeping coach has been sent off seven times this season.

"It's quite a regular thing for coaches and assistants, the officials are so pedantic they make the Scottish referees look brilliant."

The cup triumph guaranteed Omonia group-stage football next season - they will drop into the Europa Conference if they lose their Europa League play-off - and helped vindicate Lennon's decision to take the job.

"It was a journey into the unknow but has turned out fantastic," he added. "I always wanted to work in the sunshine and you certainly get that in Cyprus.

"The quality of football is good and the players have been exceptional for me over the past few months.

"I've found it really liberating after a difficult time at Celtic. It's been a real eye-opener for me in a positive way."

 

Perfectly summed up tbh.

Anyone that spends £10m on Ajeti and Barkas should not be allowed to discuss transfer dealings at Celtic ever again.

 

Fat Neil

 

Just after reading this interview above and I see nothing in it that gives you a valid reason to go on a rant against him. He's been asked a question and responded like any supporter would and I'd say everyone would agree with his comments. We are going up against the big boys next season, it's obvious we need to strengthen.

 

Hopefully get him back for flag day.

 

And saying the same thing you’re saying in the Player Suggestions as well, the clueless bawbag

 

Genuinely can never remember in my life the manager of another club talking about who or what another club should sign.


Wee creep.

 

Listen, I understand some people have issues with Lennon but some rip the bollox out of it. I can't see why if he is asked something then he can't answer it. Do you really think if he's asked something about us then he's not going to answer it. Even if he did refuse to answer any questions about Celtic, yous would hold that against him too. It's like no matter what he does he'll get ripped to * for it. Some of it is school playground stuff to be honest. Fat Neil, how a grown * can say something as ridiculous as this is a head scratcher to me along with some of the other comments been said about him on here. .

 

Fixed HH.

 

No he's the last person that should be telling us where to strengthen considering the rip roaring * he made of 20/21

 

The fact he talks about Rogic as well when he basically * his career up both times he was manager, wish the * would just shut up. He didn’t have a clue how to use Rogic ffs.

 

Lennon signed Rogic.

Granted he didn't use him as much as Deila, Brendan or Ange but he still signed him

 

How is it different from any other former player in the media living off their time with us?

I hate how things ended with Lennon, it was a disaster and he's not made himself look good since then.

That said he was a player with us for 7 years and a manager for 6. He's spent the best part of 15 years with the club, he's also a supporter. We don't get to determine whether he's allowed to speak to the media about us. He has every right and how things ended doesn't really change that.

He's been pretty complimentary of Ange from what I've seen too.