'He's been negative about the club for years' - Celtic boss Neil Lennon fires back at Charlie Nicholas

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has fired a barb at former Parkhead forward Charlie Nicholas over comments regarding recruitment.

The former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday pundit wrote in his column for the Daily Express that the Scottish champions sought the “cheap” option at left-back with the loan signing of AC Milan and Uruguay left-back Diego Laxalt on deadline day and that Lennon would be "pretty annoyed” with the transfer strategy.

In addition to Laxalt, Celtic recruited Vasilis Barkas, Shane Duffy, David Turnbull, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Albian Ajeti this summer.

Lennon hit out at Nicholas for constantly being "negative" about the club, while also stating he is not the only ex-Celtic player to do so.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon hit back at Charlie Nicholas over "negative" comments. Picture: SNS

"How would Charlie know the dealing we have with AC Milan?" Lennon, who won September's Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month, said.

"Listen, if we were to sign (Lionel) Messi and (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Charlie still would have found fault with it. He's been negative about the club for years.

"We switch off to it. I'm not aware of it. I woke up this morning absolutely delighted with a squad of players that we got and certainly with the Laxalt signing.

"We've come out of the window very strong. People can throw stones at the club, there's no merit, there's no foundation, there's no substance to it.

"We've kept all our best players. We kept Odsonne Edouard, we kept Kristoffer Ajer, we kept Ryan Christie, Callum McGregor, all these players who are big assets to the club.

"And that's been a difficult thing to do. We've also added international quality in players who have bedded in straight away.

"Vasilis Barkas has done a great job, Shane Duffy has been exceptionally good, David Turnbull is a great young talent, he will flourish here.

"I could go on and on about the players that we signed and I'm thrilled to get Laxalt over the line as well.

"So, Charlie doesn't speak for me, he doesn't think for me, and to be honest with you, it doesn't resonate one bit here."

Lennon added: "There's too many ex-Celtic players over the years who have constantly been trying to create this negative narrative around the club."