Source: Team_Talk
Lennon calls for clarity
eil Lennon thinks UEFA should clear up the confusion that threatens to turn Celtic's Europa League clash against Sion in to a non-event.[LNB] The Swiss club have arrived in Glasgow for Thursday night's first-leg clash at Parkhead with five players in their squad who are, in the eyes of FIFA, ineligible to play.[LNB]Sion allegedly broke a registration embargo by the world football governing body at the weekend when Pascal Feindouno, Mario Mutsch and Gabri all lined up against Lucerne, after a Swiss court ruled in their favour.[LNB]Former Hearts defender Jose Goncalves and Billy Ketkeophomphone are also in Sion's European squad approved by the Swiss FA who, along with the club, have reportedly been warned by UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino about possible sanctions although the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who will rule on the issue, will not pass their verdict until after the second leg next Thursday.[LNB]Lennon, though, would like it all sorted out before the first leg.[LNB]"From my point of view, if a team plays ineligible players, they should be punished accordingly within the rules of the governing body," he said.[LNB]"The rules should be there to adhere to.[LNB]"But we are all still in the dark as to the outcome of this.[LNB]"It would be nice if there was some clarification on it before the game.[LNB]"I won't be seeking it, but I think for all parties concerned it would be best if we had some sort of answers.[LNB]"But I am not making a major issue of it.[LNB]"Basically I am concentrating on my own team and preparing as best as I can."[LNB]The former Celtic skipper is hoping to have Fraser Forster's signing completed before Wednesday night's European deadline after revealing that a deal had been agreed with Newcastle to bring the goalkeeper back for another season's loan, with a view to a permanent move.[LNB]"A deal has been agreed," said Lennon, who searched far and wide this summer for another keeper back-up before returning to Tyneside.[LNB]"There are a few little snags to overcome but we hope to have him registered in time for tomorrow night.[LNB]"If that is the eventuality of things, we would be absolutely delighted.[LNB]"He has been the main target since the end of last season.[LNB]"We did put a bid in but it was knocked back but we worked hard in the background to try to bring him in so I'm very, very pleased."[LNB]Lennon is considering putting Forster straight in against the Swiss side.[LNB]"We will have to see his condition," he said.[LNB]"The form of Lukasz Zaluska has been very good so we will weigh these things up.[LNB]"But it has given myself and the squad a boost.[LNB]"We have three very good goalkeepers so there is great competition in that area which is what we wanted."[LNB]It appears Lennon, though, has problems convincing Cameroon international Mo Idrissou that he might have a future at Parkhead.[LNB]The Borussia Monchengladbach player was meant to turn up at Lennoxtown for a trial on Wednesday but the Hoops boss is still waiting.[LNB]"The agent has been holding that back," he said.[LNB]"I dont know if it is an issue of money but there is no sign of him at the minute."[LNB]Lennon also claimed that agent intervention could see Celtic lose their talented youth player Islam Feruz.[LNB]There has been speculation that Chelsea are set to sign the 15-year-old Somalia-born striker on a lucrative deal.[LNB]"I have heard all this rumour and speculation but I'm not aware of that," said the former Northern Ireland midfielder.[LNB]"I do know that it is going to be very difficult for us to hold on to him.[LNB]"I haven't seen Islam since the start of the season.[LNB]"We have done everything we can to keep the player and done more than enough to make him feel at home here.[LNB]"He does have other people in the background who are advising him.[LNB]"My take on it is that they are advising him wrongly. But we seem to be powerless in that situation."[LNB]Feruz had the late Tommy Burns, former Celtic manager and coach, to thank for getting his family resident status in the United Kingdom.[LNB]Asked if he felt Feruz was being disrespectful in wanting to leave the club, Lennon replied: "I wouldn't accuse the kid of that.[LNB]"He's only 15, turning 16. There are other people in the background who I'd rather point the finger at."[LNB]Lennon will be without Glenn Loovens, Emilio Izaguirre, Beram Kayal and Gary Hooper on Thursday through injury and, although defender Thomas Rogne has recovered from his calf problem, he is unlikely to feature.[LNB]He said: "Thomas Rogne trained yesterday but that's his first session for a number of weeks.[LNB]"It's great to have him back in the squad but I would be pretty hard pushed to put him in the squad for tomorrow."[LNB]
