Neil Lennon has spoken of his pride in witnessing the success of former Celtic players Virgil van Dijk and Kieran Tierney.
Having been brought to Celtic Park by Lennon in 2013 for £2.6m, Dutch defender van Dijk has gone on to become the world's most expensive defender at £75m and win the Champions League with Liverpool.
Tierney, meanwhile, came up through the ranks at Celtic and went on to join Arsenal in the summer of 2019 for £25m.
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In a MailOnline discussion between former Celtic striker Chris Sutton and Lennon, Lennon spoke of his disappointment at not being able to see out a season in which his team were 13 points ahead of nearest rivals Rangers.
Lennon said: "We're disappointed it was curtailed at a time when we were so dominant and playing such great football. But it (winning nine-in-a-row) was a magnificent achievement by the club, the players, everyone who has contributed to this over the decade."
Referring to the English Premier League, he went on to say: "I'd love to have the players and the games back. We'll be looking on with a little bit of envy....You cannot deny Liverpool the title.
"They've been the best team in the country by a considerable distance. But the Premier League seem confident. They've got the resources and the will to do it."
Asked by Sutton for initial impression of van Dijk in 2013, Lennon said: "He was Rio Ferdinand in the making. He had all of those attributes - he was quick, composed, brilliant in the air in both boxes.
"Everything you're seeing now, at Premier League and European level, that's what I saw. I couldn't believe there was no English interest.
"I also couldn't believe he was at Celtic for two seasons! I thought he might have gone after the first."
Asked if he envied the money at EPL sides' disposal, Lennon replied: "It would be nice to be able to compete with them. I wouldn't say 'envious'. I like finding players under the radar.
"Van Dijk is the standout example. He goes for £12m to Southampton, then £75m to Liverpool, and now he's probably the best centre half in the world. We take pride in that.
"We take pride in Kieran Tierney going to Arsenal for £25m. There is a lot of untapped natural talent here. Ideally you'd love to hold on to these players because then we'd have a strong chance of achieving something in Europe."
