CASH OF THE TITANS

Hoops boss Lennon insists club doesn’t need European funds to sign new players

NEIL LENNON insists his transfer plans do not hinge on the Champions League.

But the Celtic gaffer admits reaching the glamour group stage could tip the scales in him securing additional quality for his ranks.

Lennon says it’s all about prestige and not pound notes as his side go into battle against Ferencvaros tonight.

Parkhead chiefs are currently working on deals for immediate targets such as Motherwell’s David Turnbull and Brighton defender Shane Duffy.

Lennon and the recruitment team have other irons in the fire and the boss has revealed that some business could be concluded nearer to the early October deadline.

The Celtic gaffer is adamant that dealings won’t be affected by the outcome of the Champions League qualifiers, but does confess that making the groups may open fresh doors in the market.

Asked if Celtic needed to bank group stage cash to fund his plans, Lennon said: “No, we don’t need to get it.

“If we get in the Champions League then it puts us in an even stronger position to attract players but financially we are in a decent healthy position at the minute.

“Maybe from a footballing point of view the player might say the Champions League is a big carrot to come here, so it’s important to get Champions League for so many different reasons and that’s another one to add.

“We have our eye on a couple of potential signings, but we are nowhere near fulfilling any of those at the minute. I can’t really add anything more to that.

“I would hope that we are not going to lose any more players. I am happy with the squad, but I would like to make a couple of more additions, as I’ve said over the past few weeks.

“A lot of these things can be protracted and we may look at later on in the window when we might be able to get better value for money for players as well.”

While describing Turnbull as “good player” after previously admitting the enquiry over Duffy, Lennon insists he cannot allow transfer issues to detract his focus from tonight’s massive contest against the Hungarians. He said: “I’m getting all this speculation and chat and rumours and this is the age we live in.

“It’s torture. I have to concentrate on the job at hand. We have focused really hard and knuckled down Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

“It’s early to get a team of this quality. We’ve done a lot of work and will show them the utmost respect.”

We’re in a good position and we don’t need it but from a football point it is important..