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Page last updated at 18:20 GMT, Saturday, 29 January 2011

Celtic manager Neil Lennon steps up defender search

Thomas Rogne heads off injured at Hampden
Rogne went off injured against Aberdeen at Hampden

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will step up his search for a new centre-half despite describing his side's display against Aberdeen as "stunning".

Thomas Rogne, his only fit central defender, picked up a calf strain during the 4-0 Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen.

"He's got a calf strain and that will really force our hand for the next couple of days," said Lennon.

"A centre-half was always a target, but that will be even more re-enforced."

Rogne is now doubtful for Tuesday's re-match against Aberdeen, who will have home advantage in the Scottish Premier League.

That comes the day after the closure of the January transfer window.

Lennon on Friday said there had been no approach to Newcastle United's veteran England defender, Sol Campbell.

Kris says to me he does that quite a bit and that I should know that from his Forest days

Celtic manager Neil Lennon

And he said it was looking unlikely that Celtic would be able to persuade Nottingham Forest to accept a fee now for Kelvin Wilson, who has signed a pre-contract agreement to move to the Glasgow club in the summer.

Asked to give BBC Scotland a clue about his next move in his search for a defender, Lennon joked: "I haven't a clue myself.

"It is only 48 hours, but these things can be done and we will just keep looking."

Celtic's latest signing, Kris Commons, made a scoring start, chipping in the opening goal after just five minutes.

Some commentators questioned whether it was a cross or a shot, but the former Derby County winger insisted it had been a deliberate attempt to deceive goalkeeper Jamie Langfield.

"He says to me he does that quite a bit and that I should know that from his Forest days," said his former team-mate at the City Ground.

Lennon lauds 'irresistable' Celtic

"But I will take his word for it. His all-round game was very, very good and it was a great debut and he did all the things we knew he could."

Lennon, though, thought it was an all-round team performance that surpassed Saturday's 4-0 demolition of third-top Hearts in the SPL.

"I thought the first half was stunning," he said. "There was a good tempo to our play and Kris scored a beauty to get us going and they never let off after that.

"It was just a pity half-time came because, if it hadn't been for Langfield making a couple of saves, and we hit the bar, it could have been a lot more.

"The front two set the ball rolling. I thought they were a real handful for Aberdeen, particularly for the first hour or so.

"Midfield were very, very strong in there and I thought Ledley was exceptionally good for us for the 90 and Brown did his raiding from inside right.

"The back four were solid again, although we ended the game with a makeshift back four."

Lennon was not concerned that Aberdeen had the better chances in the second half and pulled a goal back through Scott Vernon.

"It is very difficult to come out second half and play like that again," he added.

"Aberdeen were playing for their pride in the second half and made it difficult for us."



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see also
Aberdeen 1-4 Celtic
29 Jan 11 |  Scottish Cups
Celtic an easy choice for Commons
28 Jan 11 |  Celtic


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