Lennon to captain Celtic title charge

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon is determined to lead the Hoops to title glory in his first season as captain.

The 33-year-old will pen a new one-year deal when he returns from holiday and the armband left behind by Jackie McNamara when he moved to Wolves was part of the deal.

New manager Gordon Strachan made it clear he wanted the Northern Irishman to stay and Lennon was delighted to do just that.

He told the Sunday Mail: “To take over as skipper is an absolute honour. I will do everything I can to be a successful Celtic captain.

“To follow guys like Billy McNeill, Danny McGrain and Paul McStay is a special feeling. I’ve also been lucky enough to play with Celtic captains such as Tom Boyd, Paul Lambert and Jackie McNamara.

“They all won titles as skipper and I want to do the same.”

The Hoops threw away the Bank of Scotland Premier League title last month on the final day of the season.

They were leading 1-0 at Motherwell, knowing that would be enough to pip Rangers who were ahead at Hibernian by the same score.

But two goals by Scott McDonald in the final two minutes ruined an entire season and allowed Rangers to be crowned champions.

Lennon said: “The hurt is still there from how last season ended and we will be out to make amends. I am determined to win the league back.”

The former Leicester player expects Strachan to make a number of new signings, with Poland international striker Maciej Zurawski due to jet into Glasgow for talks.

Free agent Mo Camara, who was at Burnley last season, has also been tipped to sign and Strachan is hunting for a goalkeeper.

Two of the players he inherited from Martin O’Neill are understood to be wanted by Livingston, who are now managed by Lambert.

Striker Shaun Maloney and defender Stephen McManus are the men in question, although Maloney has already gone on the record stating he wanted to fight for his place at Parkhead.

Meanwhile, centre-back Bobo Blade has been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen. The giant Guinea international has also indicated he intends to be a part of the new era under Strachan, but there is a clause in his contract which allows him to leave for nothing this summer should he seek a move.