Neil Lennon refuses to confirm or deny Celtic link to Steven Fletcher

But Parkhead boss admits he admires striker

Celtic manager Neil Lennon watches his squad train. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS

Neil Lennon has expressed his admiration for Steven Fletcher amid continued speculation linking Celtic with the Scotland international striker.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Sheffield Wednesday expired this summer and it is believed he would be enthusiastic about joining the Scottish champions.

Celtic manager Lennon is in the market for a new striker and did not rule out a move for Fletcher when asked about the former Hibs, Burnley, Wolves and Sunderland front man.

“He (Fletcher) is a good player,” said Lennon. “I am not going to confirm or deny that one, I don’t want to talk about individuals.

“Striker is the most important position on the pitch. We’ve had a few injuries and absentees in that department, so if there is a quality one available and we think it’s the right thing to do, we will pursue it.”Greek goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas became the first new addition to Lennon’s squad this summer when he completed his £4.5 million move from AEK Athens on Thursday, while Norwegian winger Mohamed Elyounoussi is back for a second loan spell from English Premier League side Southampton.

Lennon hopes to further bolster his options as Celtic begin their quest for a 10th successive league title but is also alert to the possibility of having to field bids for some of his established players.

“The transfer market is open and we have seen some big names and big money being bandied around already,” he added.

“It will be interesting to see how it settles down.

“We are very wary that there may be interest in some of our players and that’s something we will have to deal with as we go along. In the last couple of years we have sold players

for a lot of money, Moussa Dembele and Kieran Tierney.

“We have adjusted accordingly to that. It is always difficult when you see top quality players go but, look, we have sort of been doing that for the last 10-12 years. There may be interest in one or two of our players but we haven’t had any phone calls about any of them, which has been a pleasing aspect of pre-

season so far.

“But we will look to add to the squad. We’ve been patient and it’s been difficult but I don’t think it’s been any more difficult than any other transfer window really.

“We have been linked with a lot of strikers, midfield players, centre halves.

“There are one or two areas we want to add to because we have let a few players go.

“We let seven or eight go and we have only added Barkas to the squad so I think it’s important we bring some quality in, in the areas we are

looking for.”

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