Celtic said Stuart Baxter would not perform any role for the club

Celtic have ended their pursuit of Stuart Baxter to act as an advisor to manager Neil Lennon.

Lennon said on Sunday that Finland coach Baxter was only "a phone call away", despite the Finnish FA appearing to rule out any job sharing venture.

"As agreed with the Finnish FA, following further discussions, Stuart will not take any formal position with Celtic," the club said in a statement.

Celtic had approached Baxter about a director of football position in June.

Lennon succeeded Tony Mowbray as Celtic manager at the end of last season and had indicated that he was keen to call upon Baxter's experience.

As agreed with the Finnish FA, Stuart will not take up any formal position with Celtic Statement from Celtic FC

"He's got a job with the Finnish FA and he'll be a phone call away to bounce a few ideas off him," Lennon said following the Emirates Cup last weekend.

"The one thing I do lack is experience and he's had a very lengthy career, not just in Scandinavia but elsewhere."

"He doesn't need to be my pal, we're just going to talk football."

However, the Finnish FA has consistently ruled out the prospect of Baxter working in a part-time role with the Scottish Premier League club.

Lennon has recruited Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson, also former Celtic players, to his backroom staff.

The Celtic manager was reluctant to add anything more to the club's statement on the Baxter issue.

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When asked if finding an advisor was necessary, he said: "I wouldn't say it was essential but it would be a benefit."

Under Baxter's stewardship, Finland, ranked 52 in the world, finished third, behind Germany and Russia, in their qualifying section for the 2010 World Cup.

And the Finns have been drawn with Holland, Sweden and Hungary in a tough qualifying group for Euro 2012.

Baxter, who was also England Under-19s coach during Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign, was linked with Celtic 12 years ago, following the departure of then manager Tommy Burns.

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