Lassad Nouioui will be a Celtic player, says Neil Lennon

By TOM ENGLISH
Published on 02/09/2012 01:38

Neil Lennon revealed that Celtic were on the verge of adding another name to their squad with the signing of French-born Tunisian international Lassad Nouioui, although the Celtic manager’s claim was contradicted last night by a report that suggested Lassad had, in fact, signed for Levante.

“There’s talk of him going to Levante,” said Lennon, “but the clarification from advisors is that he’ll be in Glasgow tonight. We’ve agreed terms and the paperwork is done.” Lassad, a 6ft 2in striker, was with Deportivo for three years until his release at the end of last season. Lennon added: “He leads the line well and has a decent record of scoring in the second layer of the Spanish league. He’ll add another dimension.” It was a day of new arrivals at Celtic. New Nigerian centre-half Efe Ambrose was unveiled to the crowd as was Miku, the Venezuelan international striker signed from Getafe on a one-year loan with an option to buy. Miku has an impressive scoring pedigree in La Liga, netting two against Real Madrid last season and finishing as his old club’s leading scorer. Lennon said he was surprised to land him after Michael Laudrup, Swansea’s manager, spoke warmly of him recently. “I’m surprised but delighted,” said Lennon of Miku’s capture. “He’s bright and intelligent and has a good goalscoring record for a team in mid-table of La Liga. He’ll complement Gary Hooper very well. As for Ambrose, the first time I saw him play I thought ‘Wow, I’d love to get him’. He’s powerful in the Wanyama mould and ticks all the boxes. He’s a hungry boy, he wants to succeed.”

Miku said he was proud to be handed the Celtic No.7 jersey. “It’s a big number here, the number of [Henrik] Larsson and [Jimmy] Johnstone. It’s my lucky number and I will try to honour the shirt. I’m so happy. This is a big team with a lot of history. I like the stadium and the fans. At the moment, everything is amazing.”

Ambrose called yesterday the “best day of my life. I never believed I would be here one day, but I am.” If Lennon can shoo Levante from his door once and for all, Lassad will join him today.