Neil Lennon has revealed that Celtic were involved on one Transfer Deadline Day near miss.
The hoops boss was on duty until after 11pm on Friday hoping to add to the deals that brought Patryk Klimala and Ismaila Soro to the club.
Mikey Johnston’s injury prompted claims that Celtic attempted to bring in Christian Atsu on loan from Newcastle United.
There were regular rumours of moves for Victor Wanyama and Filip Benkovic but as the window closed the midfielder remained at Spurs while Bristol City signed the Croatian on loan.
Sunday’s win over Hamilton sent Celtic seven points clear at the top of the SPFL table and put discussion about the transfer window onto the back burner.
The Daily Record reports Lennon saying:
I was at work, at the stadium. That’s always the case on the last day of the transfer window in case something comes up. I thought we were close but we couldn’t get it done so that’s the end of it.
I’m happy with the ins. We’ve streamlined a little bit as well, players who needed to get games. So the squad is strong. If we keep everybody fit and we get a few back as well, we’re going to be stronger. We’ll need that for February as it’s a busy month.
You are always looking but January is a very difficult month. There wasn’t a lot of business done overall so I’m happy with the squad.
I wasn’t disappointed (not to bring in experience). You don’t get your hopes up, put it that way. You look and shop around but clubs want to hold onto their players and players have their own agendas.
So there’s no guarantee you’ll get anybody in. If we had got one more in great, if not, great. So everything is great!”
Klimala and Soro face a tough battle to get into Lennon’s starting XI with Leigh Griffiths and Jozo Simunovic emerging from the shadows after the winter break.
Stephen Welsh was given his debut at Hamilton on Sunday with the strength of the Celtic squad highlighted by Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic having to settle for places on the substitute bench.
