CELTIC manager Neil Lennon is bracing himself for imminent bids for some of his top players, but insists he will do everything he can to hang onto his key men.
While Callum McGregor has been linked with a move to Leicester, it has been Kieran Tierney and Olivier Ntcham who have been attracting the majority of headlines, with Arsenal and Napoli reportedly poised to test Celtic’s resolve with bids for left-back Tierney, while Ntcham is interesting French giants Marseille.
Lennon believes the speculation around the players is only natural given the success Celtic have enjoyed, but he hopes that he can hang on to both throughout the summer transfer window.
“I would expect bids,” Lennon said. “We’re realistic and I’d be surprised if there weren’t any offers for them, put it that way, because they’re both extremely talented players.
“So, I may have a decision to make, but there’s been nothing for us to think about yet.
“For someone so young, Kieran already has vast experience – he’s played Champions League, Europa League, internationals and he’s won trophies.
“I don’t think he would fear going anywhere but, personally, [I think] it would be a wrench for him because the club means so much to him.
“However, we’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it, but we don’t want to lose him.”
Meanwhile, David Turnbull finally checked into Celtic Park yesterday in a £3.25m move from Motherwell, as the transfer saga involving the 19-year-old came to an end after he signed a four-year deal with the club yesterday.
Lennon was delighted and somewhat surprised to eventually land his man given the deal looked to be dead a week ago, but he is confident that the midfielder has made the right choice by snubbing another offer from Norwich City in favour of joining Celtic.
“There were a few twists and turns,” Lennon said. “But in the end, I think the player himself decided we were the best option for him, which we agreed with obviously.
“To choose us over a Premiership club is quite a statement from our point of view.
“We’ve been tracking him for a while. He’s a fantastically gifted young Scottish player, so we want to try and get the best out of him in the coming years. Obviously, he’s spoken to his representatives and they’ve come to the same conclusion.
“From what I gather he was down at Norwich, having a look around and was impressed. But he felt that Celtic and here was the best place for him.
“He’s quick, an impressive character the way he plays and way he handles himself off the field. There’s a maturity about him for someone of such a young age.
“We’ve got a proven track record in developing players and I think that works in our favour."
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