Celtic: Neil Lennon targets two signings by midweek

Celtic manager Neil Lennon hopes to make two player signings by the middle of next week.

"We are hoping to get a player's representatives in on Monday and get a deal done with him," he told BBC Scotland after the 2-2 draw with table-topping Inverness Caley Thistle.

"I'm hoping I'll have two in by midweek."

However, it looks unlikely that Hull City winger Cameron Stewart will be one of those additions.

"There's nothing in that," Lennon said in response to newspaper reports. "There is an interest there, but there has been no bid made.

"We spoke to his representatives a long time ago, but he's had knee surgery recently.

"I believe he's fit again, but we're looking at other options as well."

Lennon is keen to sign a striker and a midfielder, but any new signings would not be eligible for Wednesday's Champions League play-off against Shakhter Karagandy, as Celtic aim to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg.

Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons both missed the visit of Inverness through injury, but Lennon is "optimistic" they will be able to face the Kazakhstan champions in Glasgow.

James Forrest and Derk Boerrigter are rated 50/50, while Anthony Stokes is a doubt after scans revealed a calf strain.

Beram Kayal is likely to be sidelined with a groin strain that forced him to be substituted against Inverness, while Virgil van Dijk picked up a hamstring twinge.

Inverness raced into the lead thanks to goals from Aaron Doran and Richie Foran before Charlie Mulgrew pulled a goal back just before the break and Adam Matthews grabbed a late equaliser.

Lennon said he was satisfied with the draw considering his side's injury problems.

"I don't think we played well in the first half at all, but the team showed great character," he said.

"We knew we were going to be a bit short today in terms of attacking options and that proved to be the case.

"However, we could have won it in the end. I thought the second half was more like us."

Lennon expected an improved performance against Shakhter and expected his team to progress.

"I think we've got enough to win the tie, but we are going to have to play better than we did today," he said.

"But we will as we'll have more quality in the forward areas."