Celtic must get 'top dollar' for Stan - Lennon

Neil Lennon has backed Celtic’s hardline stance against want-away Stilian Petrov.

The Parkhead skipper is good friends with the Bulgarian, whom he rates as the best player at Parkhead.

Portsmouth have had two bids rejected this summer and Martin O’Neill’s arrival at Aston Villa means Celtic are bracing themselves for another attempt to prise him away.

But Lennon hopes his club continues to reject all approaches for the 27-year-old midfielder.

He told the Daily Record: “From our point of view we want Stilian to stay because he’s such an influential player for us.

“When he’s in the mood he’s unstoppable in some games.

“If he stays, we have a very strong midfield with the likes of Stan, Shunsuke Nakamura, Aiden McGeady, Jiri Jarosik, Alan Thompson and myself.

“We have six or seven quality players and that’s what you need.

“It’s encouraging that the board haven’t taken the first offer for Stan. You want top dollar for your best player and they are quite right to stand their ground.”