Kings can be aces as well

29 December 2010 17:04
Neil Lennon wants to build a side to win the SPL title in the period of his current 12 month contract Neil Lennon admits there is an element of short-termism about his transfer targets - but denies it is with an eye to self-preservation. This week former Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg was joined on trial at the Parkhead club by Canada international Dwayne De Rosario. Lennon has also been linked with moves for a host of other players including West Ham striker Benni McCarthy and Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar. Ahead of tonight's game against Motherwell at Celtic Park, Lennon said: "I think it's fair to say we are dealing in the short term but that's not to protect me. I'm doing what I can to get players who can win the championship for the club. It's a big year for us. I've brought in the likes of Beram Kayal, Joe Ledley and Efrain Juarez to look after the club's development in the next few years. But I also want a couple of kings in the team who can talk others through the games at times." On the new faces at the Lennoxtown training ground, Ljungberg and De Rosario, Lennon went on: "Ljungberg's got that quality, there's no doubt about it and he is the type of player we are looking to bring in. He has had a great career so far and at 33 he is still relatively young in the modern day and he will still have a lot to offer. He didn't train with the first team on Monday because they had a game the day before, but from what we saw, he looked very impressive and in good condition. De Rosario will be here for about a week He's a similar player to Shaun Maloney, he likes to play off the left and come inside. He is a skilful, sharp and intelligent player. Again, it's an opportunity for us to have a look and see what he can offer us. But I don't know anything about a move for Kranjcar. He's a good player but I've had no contact with anyone at Tottenham." Motherwell's caretaker manager Gordon Young, who watched the Steelmen lose 4-1 at home to Rangers at the weekend following a defeat by Hearts, is hoping to get a win that will stop the Hoops going top of the SPL. He said: "It's been a tough schedule. Maybe we haven't had the rub of the green on a couple of occasions but we haven't played as well as we can. I think if we can get back into that groove then going to Celtic Park could lift us up. We'll never have an easy game against Celtic and Rangers, as we saw on Boxing Day. I think we have got to adopt a positive mental attitude and go there with a plan to frustrate Celtic and cause them problems."

Source: FOOTYMAD