Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Celtic make late move to sign injury replacement that Neil Lennon will ‘be happy’ with
Celtic could be bringing in a player on loan towards the end of this window.
Fan's view of Atsu free-kick shows his incredible technique
Celtic are reportedly in talks over a loan move for Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu and former Hoops forward Charlie Nicholas believes Neil Lennon will be happy if he can get a deal done. Celtic winger Micky Johnston is set for a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury he picked up earlier this week. And it appears Atsu has been targeted as a temporary replacement.
Atsu has made 22 appearances for Newcastle this season but has not been a regular starter in the Premier League under Steve Bruce.
Nicholas does not think the former Chelsea man would be a regular starter for the Scottish Premiership leaders.
However, he can understand why Lennon wants the 28-year-old following the departure of Scott Sinclair earlier this month and with Johnston’s injury.
“I don’t see him starting too many games if I’m being honest, but he’s got pace,” Nicholas said on Sky Sports News.
“Neil Lennon has been active in saying he wants another winger in, so he’ll be happy with that.
“Scott Sinclair’s left the building, so he’ll be happy with that.
“[James] Forrest is back fit and young Micky Johnston just got a bad injury midweek there.
“So he’s probably happy just to get a replacement in just in case. So it’s cover and nothing else.”
Earlier this week, Lennon said he did not expect any signings before Friday’s midnight deadline.
“Probably [there will be no signings],” Lennon said.
“You never say never, but it’s a very difficult time so there’s no guarantees either way. We’ll see.”
Midfielder Olivier Ntcham was linked with a move away from Celtic Park but Lennon quashed those rumours.
“It’s nonsense. He’s not going anywhere,” Lennon said.
“The last thing I want is good players going out the door. If anything, I want to get players in, but it’s a tough thing to do.
"I had a joke with Olivier after the game, asking him if he was doing that for the cameras, putting himself out there.”
Earlier today, Sky Sports reporter Luke Shanley confirmed Celtic were looking to bring in short-term for Johnston.
“Micky Johnston injured as well on Wednesday, so Celtic saying they might be forced into trying to just bolster the squad,” Shanley said.
“It was put to Neil Lennon that he has a strong and big squad but he said ‘It’s not that big’, so he wants to make sure he has additions for the title run in, fascinating title battle.”