Boyd on Lennon's radar

Manager Neil Lennon got fans of both Old Firm clubs talking today when he refused to rule out a bid for former Rangers striker Kris Boyd.

The Scottish Premier League’s all-time top scorer this week terminated his contract with Turkish club Eskisehirspor following a dispute over unpaid wages and is now a free agent.

Light Blues’ boss Ally McCoist appeared lukewarm about the possibility of the 28-year-old player returning to Govan while earlier in the week a source at Celtic Park denied interest in the player to Press Association Sport.

However, ahead of Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, the Hoops boss addressed the question of Boyd’s availability by admitting the player’s background would not sway him if he was to consider making a bid.

Lennon, who denied he had made an official approach for Dundee United’s Scott Allan, said: “He is a proven goalscorer.

“I don’t know how much football he has played of late but he is a player with a great record and any player like that would interest me.

“You are taking hypothetically here and are starting to speculate already, but regards to that question (would it be a problem that Boyd had played for Rangers?) no, I can’t see it being a problem.

“But again, I don’t want to talk about players coming and going until January.”

While trying not to get involved in transfer speculation Lennon let his guard slip for a moment when asked about reports that CSKA Moscow have entered the race for Maritimo’s Baba Diawara.

The Irishman has watched the Senegalese striker in recent weeks but is aware of what will happen if there are other clubs interested.

He said: “It might turn it into a bidding war – but I never said I was in for Diawara.

“He is just a player who has come to our attention over the course of six to eight months and we have watched him a few times.”

Lennon revealed left-back Emilio Izaguirre is ready to return to first-team action after recovering fully from a broken ankle sustained against Aberdeen in August.

The former Celtic skipper insists that even if the Honduran does not feature against the Ayrshire side, he will still consider him for the Old Firm game at Celtic Park next Wednesday.

“He had 90 minutes in a bounce game on Tuesday and came through it fine,” said Lennon. “He looks okay physically and he looked happy today. He will be in contention for the weekend.

“Emilio is a naturally fit boy anyway. He has had a traumatic injury but we are not going to pressure him.

“He is desperate to play. Obviously we will gauge that over the next couple of days but he will be in the squad for the weekend.”

Lennon confirmed that Daniel Majstorovic will be out for up to six weeks after undergoing surgery on the fractured cheekbone he sustained in the 2-0 win against St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Sweden defender had to go off in the first half at McDiarmid Park following a challenge on Saints midfielder David Robertson, who was also replaced soon after.

“We got good news, he has had the surgery and it has gone very well,” said the Parkhead boss.

“We were worried that the initial injury could have meant a three-month period but we are looking at four-to-six weeks.

“He is walking about and was at training today.

“He will have a few days off and then he will come in and do some work.

“It is a blow to lose him but it could have been worse.”