Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell insists the newly-crowned Scottish champions will not have to sell any of their prized assets should they fail to make the group stages of next seasons Champions League. The Hoops wrapped up their third successive crown - the quickest championship victory in 85 years - with a 5-1 drubbing of Partick Thistle with seven games of the campaign remaining. In recent seasons the club has pulled in millions by moving on a number of players including Ki sung-Yueng, Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper and Kelvin Wilson. Of the current crop, keeper Fraser Forster, who has conceded just 15 goals all season, and central defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Efe Ambrose, have been linked with big-money moves to England. But Lawwell believes the prudent nature which the club has gone about its business in recent years means they could cope without participating in Europes elite competition, although he admits it remains their major target for the summer. Lawell sets sights on new challenges Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: We have a good foundation at the club and there is no real necessity to sell players now. Having won the championship our focus is to step up the summer planning we have had in place for the past couple of months. We need to plan for the summer, plan for the qualifiers and hope to get through, but we do not have to sell players. And Lawwell is confident manager Neil Lennon will remain in charge of the club and lead their quest for a third successive season of Champions League football. Lennon has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Nottingham Forest but Lawwell is convinced the Irishmans love affair with the club will continue for many seasons to come. Title glory for Celtic Commenting on those reports earlier this week, Lennon revealed he valued his relationship with Lawwell, and the Celtic board, and enjoyed the freedom to carry out his job without interference. The true consequences of success is that people will become intrigued with your manager, your coaches, your scouts... and then eventually may court them, said Lawwell. Neil is a big part of Celtic and Celtic a big part of him and from my point of view I think it would be a wrench for him to leave. However, he is an ambitious guy, hes a highly-talented guy and through time who knows? But hopefully we can provide the motivation and context for him to stay here.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 12:35:14 +0000
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