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Celtic boss Neil Lennon makes transfer pledge to fans ahead of Champions League tie
CELTIC boss Neil Lennon has promised fans that he will do his best to secure new signings ahead of their Champions League fixtures next month.
Celtic: FK Sarajevo is a 'tough draw' for the team says Lennon
Celtic face FK Sarajevo of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first qualifying round of Europe’s premier competition in July.
Lennon is hoping to secure several incoming deals before their first-leg clash on July 9 or 10, which is good news for fans who are aware of the threat posed by Rangers next season.
“We’re also hoping to bring some new additions in, and it’ll be important to integrate them as quickly as possible as well,” Neil Lennon told Celtic TV.
Sarajevo won the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina last season and they aim to cause a huge upset by reaching the group stages.
Lennon admits that he is unaware of the danger that their opponents could bring to the tie, but is adamant that it won't be an issue.
He added: “It’s a tough draw. We don’t know much about them, but by the time the tie comes around we’ll be fully prepared for them.
“Our focus at the minute is getting the boys back up to a decent condition, and then we’ve got a week in Austria [for pre-season].
“We’ll have all the analysis of the opposition by then, and we can do some prep work while we’re there.
"The three friendlies in Austria will be plenty of football to get themselves up to speed, and by the time the games come around, they’ll all be looking forward to playing.
“And then again, it’s a case of staggering the international boys into the second and third games when they can get some much-needed game time.”
One possible outgoing deal at Parkhead is one for Scotland defender Kieran Tierney.
According to the Scottish Sun, Tierney was the subject of an enquiry made by Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli this week with Arsenal still involved.
Celtic return to training ahead of new season
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has given his thoughts on Tierney’s possible exit and suggest why the player could leave.
“I think this is a massive, massive summer for Kieran Tierney,” Boyd told Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast.
“Maybe now his head could be turned to move on.
“When you get the opportunity to move to some of the clubs Kieran Tierney has been linked with, it doesn’t come along very often and it might just be the right time [to leave Celtic].”