Neil Lennon hopes to add to Celtic squad in January

Media caption,

Interview - Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Neil Lennon has already identified signing targets for the January transfer window.

And the Celtic manager confirmed talks over an extension to Gary Hooper's deal will continue in the coming days.

"Gary's representatives are coming up at the weekend and hopefully we can get something done on a positive note there," said Lennon.

"And Victor (Wanyama), we will keep plugging away and see if we can come to conclusion that pleases everybody."

Celtic qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by defeating Spartak Moscow in their final group match on Wednesday.

And although Lennon admits he would like to add to his squad, he does not expect many new faces next month.

Image caption,

Hooper scored Celtic's opener in the 2-1 win against Spartak Moscow

"I wouldn't envisage spending a lot of money, I don't think I need to," he explained. "I'm pretty happy with the squad I've got.

"We won the game [against Spartak Moscow] without Wanyama and had James Forrest out for most of the campaign. He's not far away and Anthony Stokes will be back mid-January.

"There are areas where we would like to enhance the squad, and we've been working on that for quite a while."

Hooper has been one of the standouts in the Celtic side since his £2.4m move from Scunthorpe United in 2010. Goals in this season's Champions League have led to speculation linking him with a move to England.

But Lennon has repeatedly stated the Englishman will not be leaving the east end of Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Lennon revealed he received a surprise message after the success of guiding his side to the knockout stages of Europe's elite club competition.

"Sir Alex (Ferguson) sent me a text congratulating me," said Lennon. "He's been fantastic throughout the whole campaign, with little bits of advice.

"He was delighted for us and the club. I said 'I hope to God we don't draw you.' He said, 'If we do, I hope there is a nice bottle of wine waiting!'"

Celtic and their manager also received congratulations from former boss Martin O'Neill, who brought Lennon to Glasgow in 2000.

"That was a fantastic achievement," said the Sunderland manager. "With the SPL maybe not as strong as it was a couple of years ago, their performances in Europe are even more remarkable.

"To get through that group is just remarkable, it's absolutely fantastic. Well done to the club and well done to Neil Lennon."

Domestic action is back on the agenda for Celtic when they face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday and Lennon says it's important his team cement their place at the top of the table.

"We want to be consistent in the league and work on our home form to improve that," he added.

"Our away form has been very good but we have a tough game tomorrow. I'll be looking for a good performance.

"I'm sure I'll get that from the players being on such a high from the other night."

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