Neil Lennon’s on-off move from Leicester City to Celtic has been resurrected, with the Northern Irish international insisting only a medical stands between him and his dream near £6million move to Parkhead. The deal for the midfielder appeared to be hanging in the balance as the clubs haggled over terms. But now the player claims that the deal has been sealed for his move to Parkhead.
“I can't say what has changed this, but it looks like Martin and John Elsom have sorted it out,” said Lennon. “I'm just glad I was able to leave on good terms but I can't wait to get started in Glasgow. The deal is done and I'll be flying up to Scotland in the morning. I can't wait to start my Celtic career. It's a dream come true.”
Lennon said it was a massive relief that the deal now appears to have been given the green light, with a £5.75 million fee agreed. “I'm not going to get involved in what was happening between Leicester and Celtic,” he added. “It seemed to be getting petty but that's between the clubs. I'm just happy it's been sorted at last. I have loved playing for Leicester and would never say anything bad about them. If the deal had fallen through, I would have got on with it and continued to give them 100% even if I did have egg on my face. But they knew how much I wanted to play for Celtic."
After failing to persuade him to stay at Filbert Street, Leicester boss Taylor was resigned to losing his star midfielder . "Obviously I am very disappointed at the outcome Lennon's transfer, but it is just one of those things that happens in football," said Taylor.
"I tried to talk Neil out of it. But he said he just had to play for Celtic - and in that sense we have just been a bit unlucky in that it was Celtic who were the club who came in for him. He is taking a big drop in his wages to go there, and that should show how genuine he is about the matter."
Lennon is hoping to be training with his new Celtic teammates tomorrow after his arrival in Glasgow.
Filed by Seán Folan
