Neil Lennon is looking to tie Callum McGregor down on a bumper new deal after insisting there was no chance he was going to allow the playmaker to follow Kieran Tiereny out of Parkhead.
The Celtic boss admitted the club received an approach for McGregor from Brendan Rodgers – with Leicester City preparing a £20m deadline day raid.
But Lennon slapped a not for sale sign on Scotland’s player of the year on the same day Tierney headed to Arsenal in a record-breaking £25m move.
Lennon said: “There was an approach for Callum. We knew about it and there’s no more to it.
“We made it pretty clear that we wanted Callum to stay. He’s an important player here.
“We want him to continue in the same vein as the last two or three seasons.
“Callum’s good. I had a chat with him on Friday morning. He’s absolutely fine about it.
“Clubs from other countries might show interest in some of the players, but as far we are concerned our important players are not for sale.
“Callum certainly comes into that bracket.”
McGregor penned a new five-year deal in December 2018 but Lennon admitted he’ll be looking to give the Scotland star another bump.
He said: “We will possibly look to tie him down for longer.
“That’s something we may talk about with his representatives as we go along.”
Lennon insisted Celtic were reluctant to let go of Tierney but he’s determined to strengthen. The Celtic boss is targeting five players – with Brentford defender Rico Henry still on the wishlist after being watched by recruitment chief Nicky Hammond last week.
The Bees are set to offer the £7m rated England under 20s ace a new contract to fend off the interest.
Celtic will stay in the chase but Lennon admitted he may need to clear out some of his fringe men to make way for new recruits.
He said: “We are really pleased to have finalised the Kieran situation.
“We have got a lot of money in for a player we have developed and has been fantastic for the club.
“The squad looks strong, it looks good. We want to bring a few in, but we may have to get a few out to make sure the balance is right.
“We have done well over the years - developing players and selling them on.
“We have also used that money to add to the quality, and this situation will be no different.
“Will it help to upgrade my wishlist? Yes.
“It will help. We aren’t going to go out and break the transfer record but we will try to be shrewd with it.
“We will look to up the quality if we can in the positions we want to.
“We can still buy players from England. You might get good deals coming out of there, or abroad, now.
“We are in a healthy position. I like the squad but we are always looking to strengthen.
“We are playing well just now, there is momentum and we look fit.
“But if there is quality available, we will look to strengthen and give the place a lift.
“Ideally, we will have one or two in before the next European round.
“I keep saying that but you need to be patient. Ideally, yes. But there are no guarantees.”
