Celtic boss dismisses link to John Sutton as 'speculation'

Published on Friday 29 April 2011 15:16

CELTIC boss Neil Lennon claims a report linking him to Motherwell striker John Sutton was "speculation".

A newspaper this morning reported that Lennon was considering a summer move for the brother of Chris Sutton who played alongside Lennon at Parkhead.

Sutton, 27, whose contract at Fir Park is up next month, is top scorer for Stuart McCall's side who have a Scottish Cup final date with Celtic at Hampden on May 21, the week after the two clubs meet in the final Clydesdale Bank Premier League game of the season.

However, ahead of Sunday's SPL clash with Dundee United at Parkhead, Lennon said: "John is a good player. I've known him for a while.

"He has had a very good season but it is speculation more than anything else.

"I am not going to talk about targets at the minute.

"I'm just going to talk about what I have to do in the next two weeks."

Lennon played alongside Sutton at Wycombe four seasons ago.

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall expects Sutton to wait until after the final before deciding his future.

McCall, who played for four clubs during a 22-year career, said: "I've got a good relationship with big John Sutton and his agent but I would imagine nothing will be done there either way before the cup final.

"Naturally they will want to take all the offers and options that they're going to have.

"But I sat down with John and had a good chat. I know he is enjoying his football here and I only give him my experience.

"At every club I've been at, I always had opportunities to move on but thankfully I made the right decisions and in the main stayed where I was. There is a lot to be said for job satisfaction.

"Obviously if the financial aspects heavily outweigh it, then you've got to look after your family."