Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon feels Callum McGregor should be relieved of his full-time duty in the Parkhead engine room.
The Irishman, who handled the now-captain for two years, feels Brendan Rodgers will get more out of Scotland’s star if he can bring in a genuine defensive midfielder in January. Since Scott Brown’s retirement, McGregor has been the pivot in the No.6 spot for much of the last three seasons. Because of Tomoki Iwata’s injury, McGregor has returned to a more prominent role, which Lennon believes negates some of his former protege’s best qualities.
And now the 52-year-old has called on a robust defensive midfield option and a new striker to help Kyogo and Oh to be secured during a pivotal January window, Lennon, speaking exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone, said: “The main concern for me when it comes to where Celtic can still strengthen, is the lack of height and physicality sometimes, particularly against higher quality opposition. Callum McGregor is having to play in a six role, and I think he’s far better in the eight.
“So I’d want a new number six to come in, a ball winner, a new, strong presence in midfield. And then another striker to supplement Kyogo [Furuhashi]. [Hyeon-Gyu] Oh’s still a work in progress, you know. He’s got really good attributes, and he’ll come good in years to come. But for the here and now,
“I’d just be looking to strengthen those two central areas, in midfield and up-front. They’ve got plenty of wingers, and plenty of cover at centre-half, when everyone’s fit. But I’d like to see a bit more physicality in the team… particularly in that number six area.”
Meanhwile, Andriy Lunin’s suitor list continues to bulge with the Celtic target being watched by Newcastle in their hunt to land a new keeper. Defensa Central claim the Ukraine international is on Eddie Howe’s wanted list with Nick Pope on the sidelines with a serious shoulder injury.
Chelsea have also been linked with the keeper who has been in and out of the Madrid starting XI in recent weeks as he battles Kepa for the starting gig. Record Sport revealed in September the Premiership champions are admirers of Lunin as they aim to find Joe Hart’s long-term successor.
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