NEIL Lennon has criticised the “ridiculous” qualifying route that Celtic have to navigate to make the Champions League group stage, but he says he won’t be using their hectic schedule as an excuse should they fail to do so.
Celtic are gearing up for their first qualifier in Sarajevo on July 9 and have already played two of the three friendlies they are taking on during their pre-season tour of Austria and Switzerland.
Having played in the Scottish Cup final on May 25 and then with players taking part in internationals in early June, some of the Celtic squad had as little as 10 days off before returning to training. But manager Lennon says that his team will have to cope with the hand they have been dealt with.
“The eight games in eight weeks schedule is ridiculous,” Lennon said.
“That’s almost a quarter of a season before a ball has hardly been kicked in the Premiership.
“We have touched on this for years and there is no benefit for any team involved.
“There is no respite at all for the players – it’s very difficult but I can’t think of the European qualifiers as being arduous. We have to take it on.
“We have to plan as best we can for the games and get our heads around it. The rewards are great if we get there – for everyone, not just Celtic.
“It’s great for the Scottish game and I would really love to do it again “It would be special but it is tinged with the fact you have to go through four qualifying rounds.
“That’s a big ask being the first games of the new season but we just need to get our head around it.
“Everything we are doing in Austria and Switzerland will be geared towards the qualifiers.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has left Celtic after the club and the player agreed to a termination of his contract.
One man who won’t be leaving Celtic is young defender Liam Morrison, despite interest from German giants Bayern Munich.
“That’s not going to happen,” Lennon said. “There is interest from Germany. He’s our player and we want to develop him.
“We’re not accepting any or open to any offers for him. I think we’re in negotiations over a new contract.
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“It’s too early to say with him but he’s doing really well. He played well on Wednesday night.
“We’re very pleased with his progress.”
On the transfer front, Celtic’s interest in bringing Middlesbrough’s Northern Ireland international Paddy McNair has cooled off, and they won’t be pursuing a deal to bring him to Glasgow.
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