Celtic boss Lennon considers replacement for injured Bain

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will consider going into the transfer market for a new goalkeeper after Scott Bain dislocated a thumb.

However, Lennon is hopeful Bain will be back in action quickly.

“He dislocated his thumb,” Lennon said. “He’s had a scan and we don’t think he needs surgery. He is going to get a splint fitted and he should hopefully be back in training next week.

“We will assess it and get a fair idea of the extent of the damage and we will make a decision from there.”

With Craig Gordon set to step in for Saturday’s Betfred Cup clash with Dunfermline, Lennon insisted he was not already looking at strengthening in the position before Bain’s injury.

“No, I had two good goalkeepers in the building,” he said. “Craig is ready to play and he will start (on Saturday).”

Lennon is still looking for defensive reinforcements following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat by Cluj.

“We are working diligently in the background to bring players in and increase the quality and competition and strength in depth of the squad,” he said. “The board have been absolutely top class with me.

“People are looking for divisions and destabilising. It’s not there. We have to accept we lost the game, whether we deserved to lose it or not we have to accept it and come back better.”

The Celtic boss does not think the qualifying loss and knock-on financial effects will impact on his final dealings of the transfer window.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “We will still look to find players of value, quality and maybe re-saleable value as well.

“We are working very hard in the background. We are not panicking. We are working on targets we have been working on for a few weeks now.”

FourFourTwo Staff

FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.