Source: Team_Talk
Lennon still fuming at Feruz
eil Lennon admits that even the lure of first-team action was not enough to persuade starlet Islam Feruz to stay at Celtic.[LNB] The 16-year-old Somalian-born Scotland youth international has long been touted as the jewel in the crown of Celtic's academy.[LNB]But Feruz has turned his back on the Old Firm giants to pen a deal with Chelsea, who he will join on a five-year deal.[LNB]Lennon admits he is still upset at losing Feruz, who he had lined up to train with the first team this season.[LNB]"I told him he would be part of the development team this season and be pushing for a place in the first-team squad," said Lennon.[LNB]Lennon says Feruz ignored pleas from by himself and Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell to stay at Parkhead.[LNB]"Peter and I met with Islam's representatives, and I use that term loosely, but there was no going back on their part," he said.[LNB]"Islam also became different in his demeanour and personality. We've tried everything with him, boardroom meetings, bringing in our youth team coach Chris McCart, asking his family to join in the discussions. The lot.[LNB]"I was waiting for an offer coming in from Islam's representatives but nothing ever materialised.[LNB]"The whole business has been badly handled and he has been poorly advised.[LNB]"Islam would have had more chance to progress at Celtic than Stamford Bridge.[LNB]"James Forrest is a perfect example of what can be achieved. But the people acting for Islam are not as professional as other agents I've dealt with."[LNB]Lennon says Celtic have been treated badly in the whole affair, adding: "Celtic have looked after Islam and his family very well but it's obvious his head has been turned. [LNB]"We've done all we can to keep him here but I haven't seen him since the start of pre-season training.[LNB]"We took him and his family out of what you might call a rough housing estate and put them into a nice flat in the West End of Glasgow.[LNB]"We did all we could to make life here as easy as possible for him. We even had him training with the first team for the final few months of last season.[LNB]"Islam was going along very nicely with us and had a good agent in John Colquhoun. Then the boy let somebody take over his future.[LNB]"His attitude changed dramatically and his attitude towards the club changed dramatically. Yet our club had been so good to him."
