Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed that he has had talks with Callum McGregor. This follows reports that the Hoops rejected a late approach from Leicester for the midfielder.
The Daily Mail, cited by the Daily Record, revealed that Celtic chief Dermot Desmond informed former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers that the player would not be leaving under any circumstances.
Now Lennon has disclosed that he and the player have discussed the situation. The Hoops boss doesn’t think that the speculation will affect the player’s game.
“Callum’s good – I had a chat with him on Friday morning” Lennon said, as reported by the Evening Times.
“Fully focused on what he has to do”
“Your mind does start to wander, that’s only natural, but now the window is shut he is fully focused on what he has to do here.”
The Scotsman is reporting that in the aftermath of Leicester’s interest, the Hoops are considering offering the player a new contract.
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Reported new contract would be a sensible move
That would be a sensible move. Giving the player a lengthy contract and a pay rise would show that the club mean business about keeping him.
McGregor has been key to Celtic’s success in recent seasons. Losing him and Kieran Tierney in the same transfer window would have been a lot to deal with.
Perhaps if Tierney hadn’t been sold then McGregor would have been available. However, the Hoops were determined to keep their man. The fact that Dermot Desmond got involved would indicate that. For the moment, McGregor is going nowhere.