Lennon in blow to 10-in-a-row transfer plans after weekend player developments

Neil Lennon had just wanted to add 2-3 new faces to the Celtic squad but with the weekend’s news that both Jozo Simunovic and Jonny Hayes have left the club, he may need to re-think his plans.

They may not have been the first names on the team sheet but they were more than capable performers and trusted members of the match day squad, added to Fraser Forster and Mohamed Elyounoussi returning to Southampton, Lennon now has a decent sized hole to fill.

Although the Saints pair could potentially return there is still a lot that needs to be done to secure permanent moves, much will depend on the south coast club’s finances when the transfer window opens.

Celtic also face a dilemma with regards to the futures of Olivier Ntcham, Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer, as John Kennedy alluded to, if big offers come in or players want to leave, the decision will be taken out of the management team’s hands.

Lennon, understandably, will not want to overhaul his squad or have to integrate too many new players, but at the same time, he won’t want to keep players that could potentially cause unrest in what is sure to be a blockbuster season.

He knows that he has a core of hungry players that have contributed hugely to the club’s recent dominance, his biggest task will be encouraging those that maybe don’t have the same emotional ties to the club that their loyalty for just one more season would be worth it’s weight in gold.