Lennon reveals top-level moves are underway to bring Bellamy to Parkhead

Discussions over a move for the 32-year-old Wales captain - who enjoyed a previous loan spell at Celtic Park in 2005 - are understood to have taken place on Friday when the club's major shareholder Dermot Desmond shared a round of golf with Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook in the Irish capital where both clubs spent the weekend competing in the Dublin Super Cup.

"I haven't spoken about it but I know there have been conversations between both clubs," Lennon said in response to whether he had held talks on the City striker, as he had previously said the Dublin tournament would allow for.

"The two clubs have been working on that in the background and hopefully there will be more to report on that at the end of the week.

Lennon's comments came after he had watched his team round off their participation with a 5-0 victory over an Airtricity League XI at the Aviva Stadium in which Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper claimed doubles with the former also named man of the match.

"He was back on home turf and we know he has goals in him, we think he's a talent," Lennon said. "Some bits of his play were not so good today, but he got two very good goals. The second finish was tremendous, but we're always looking for better.

"I think he's an intelligent footballer, but I want to see more of that in his game. He's a bit of a maverick. He's one of those instinctive players, but he needs to be more consistent with the ball at times." Lennon was content with his team's Irish exertions overall, Saturday bringing a bruising 2-0 defeat by Inter Milan. "It's been a very worthwhile weekend and the 5-0 a nice way to finish the tournament off. It was good to see the lads score some goals," he said."I felt we deserved goals (against Inter Milan]. It was important we got some good game time in some of the lads."

City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed he would allow Bellamy to go "to an important club like Celtic". He revealed that he had a conversation with the player on Friday. "Craig is a strong striker," said Mancini. "I hope he can find a resolution to this situation."

Meanwhile, Darren O'Dea has admitted yesterday's game could be his last for Celtic. The Irish defender flew in to Dublin in the morning to play because of injuries and, after loan spells in recent years with Reading and Ipswich, doesn't hold out much hope of featuring again at senior level for the club. "I've nothing but great memories at Celtic but the bags are basically packed," the 24-year-old said. "My agent is working hard and all I need to do is keep myself fit and ready to go. I'll be working hard to get in the team but at the moment I think I'll be leaving."