Lennon backs Ki to shine at Celtic

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Ki Sung-Yong's fine World Cup for South Korea can help launch his Bhoys career. The Parkhead side landed the 21-year-old South Korea international from FC Seoul earlier this year.Ki has shown glimpses of his talent so far during his six-month SPL stay and Lennon believes his young age has played a part.Japanese ace Shunsuke Nakamura proved an instant success at Celtic, but Lennon knows he joined after years of football in Europe.The club's new manager knew it will take some time for Ki to settle and believes his impressive finals in South Africa will do wonders for his confidence."Ki had a very good World Cup, I'm delighted for him," Lennon told the club's official website. "He's still a young man and we're pleased with him."He didn't hit the ground running when he came here, which is understandable because he is coming from a totally different culture - he came from the other side of the world."Nakamura was different because he was more experienced and played in Italy for a long time. He came in at the start of the season but Ki came in in January."We're hoping he'll have a big season next year. He's still only 21 but he's played in the World Cup now, and played very well, so hopefully that confidence will help him."

Source: Team_Talk