The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Hoops leap to Lennon’s defence in Burke saga
West Brom say player will never play for champions while Lennon is there
Celtic have defended Neil Lennon after he was criticised by West Brom over his treatment of Oliver Burke.
Burke was signed on loan by Brendan Rodgers in January but Baggies technical director Luke Dowling was furious with how the 22-year-old was handled after Lennon took over in February.
Dowling refused to go into the specifics of his complaint but insisted there was no chance Burke will be heading back to Glasgow while Lennon is in charge.
Dowling’s comments drew a sharp response from the Hoops, with the club releasing a statement that said: “These comments, which question the professionalism of both Neil and Celtic Football Club, are ridiculous and completely inaccurate.
“West Brom have made no contact whatsoever with either Neil or the club in relation to Oliver.
“As with every player who comes to Celtic, Oliver received the very best of treatment and every support and opportunity. We wish Oliver the very best for the future.”
Dowling launched his broadside on Monday as new Baggies boss Slaven Bilic was unveiled at the Hawthorns.
Burke burst onto the scene as a teenager at Nottingham Forest, earning a £13 million switch to RB Leipzig.
After a frustrating 12-month stint in Germany, West Brom paid £15m, making him Scotland’s most expensive player.
He struggled to make an impact in the Midlands and was sent to Celtic Park in a bid to boost his confidence.
He kicked off with three goals in his first six appearances under Rodgers but started just five games after Lennon returned to Celtic Park and was hooked at half-time as the Hoops beat Hearts on the final day of the league season.
Now Dowling says it is important Burke is allowed to find his feet under Bilic.
He said: “We believe he’s got an opportunity back here with a new manager in place.
“Through no fault of his own he’s been bought twice for £15m.
“When West Brom bought him, look at the games he’d started, I think there was only 19 in his career – 19 games and you’ve been sold twice for £15m.
“There was big expectation when Olly came here.
“Naturally you’re going to get that when people pay that amount of money for you, but I don’t believe he really got the best chance to perform here.
“One minute he’s told he’s a rightwinger, next minute he’s a centreforward then he couldn’t do that because he couldn’t play with his back to goal.
“He’s had mixed messages and that’s why we thought going up to work with Brendan would be a good period for him to come back a better player and to improve on his game. “But unfortunately that wasn’t to be. “He needs stability.”