Celtic: Rebuilding squad will be a 'challenge' says Neil Lennon
Celtic have begun their preparations to win a ninth consecutive Scottish league title but transfer dealings are yet to get underway.
Lennon was handed a 12-month rolling contract after sealing both Premiership and Scottish Cup glory while caretaker boss.
The Northern Irishman will be aware of the threat posed by Steven Gerrard’s Rangers next season and aims to improve his squad whilst keeping hold of his star performers.
Olivier Ntcham might well be under contract until 2022 at Celtic but his future is far from certain with reports linking him to both Porto and Marseille.
The Frenchman has now given an indication to fans that he will indeed leave the club this summer by unfollowing all of his Celtic team-mates on Instagram.
The Daily Record claim that the 23-year-old made the decision to remove his colleagues from accounts that he follows which has position clear, but there remains a snag in his possible exit.
Lennon is only willing to let Ntcham leave for a fee of around £12million, and new Marseille boss Andre Villas-Boas could be put off.
That uncertainly could’ve played a factor in Lennon’s decision around Nir Bitton’s future, with Football Insider claiming that the 47-year-old has asked club bosses to keep the versatile player on next season.
Celtic transfer news: Neil Lennon has made an early transfer decision (Image: GETTY)
Celtic transfer news: Olivier Ntcham could force an exit this summer (Image: GETTYCeltic transfer news: Lennon makes Nir Bitton decision after Olivier Ntcham exit hint)
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Celtic transfer news: Neil Lennon is desperate to make an impact as permanent boss (Image: GETTY)
The report claims that Celtic chiefs have looked into the possibility of paying Bitton off for the last year of his contract, but Lennon wants the Israeli to continue at club.
As he approaches his first transfer window in his second spell as boss, Lennon has outlined the type of player that fans will force him to purchase.
He told the Celtic View: "The thought of bringing in players, being in control of the squad is exciting.
"It's also a challenge, and one that I'm really looking forward to.
Celtic transfer news: Nir Bitton has one year left on his deal at Parkhead (Image: GETTY)
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