Lennon looks to complete transfer business early
Qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League is the target for everyone at Celtic with two qualifiers to be negotiated through the champions route.
Although Celtic will avoid playing against clubs from England, Spain, Italy or Germany there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about what the draw could bring.
Lennon experienced the despair of losing Champions League qualifiers to Basel and Artmedia Bratislava and is determined to hit the ground running next term.
“It’s difficult to do but we will try and get players in early because we only have a four-week window to prepare for these games,” the Celtic boss explained.
“We’ve had a successful season but now we are looking to next season. The next question is ‘Can we qualify for the Champions League?’
“It’s a huge test but one we’re looking forward to taking on. Nothing is given to you in football. We’ll probably go in to next season as heavy favourites for the league title and that in itself is a pressure you need to handle.
“If we can get deals done in the close season it would be even better.
“One you could be playing an unknown team. It could be in Kazakhstan, so scouting is going to be a problem straight away.
“Secondly you could play a team five to ten games into their season, really fit and match competitive and we are playing our first competitive game. That is a huge disadvantage.
“I don’t think this route is easier. We have had our fingers burned before in Basel and Bratislava so we are wary.”
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