Neil Lennon has declared that rumours about Celtic trying to force captain Scott Brown out of the club are untrue.
Manager says Hoops are not trying to force captain out
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has declared that rumours about the Bhoys trying to force captain Scott Brown out of the club are untrue.
The Scottish midfielder signed from Hibernian in 2007 but talks have been delayed about extending his contract which expires at the end of the season.
Another rumour had also been circling that Gordon Strachan would become a mentor at the club, two months after the idea had been scrapped and Lennon is baffled to why these rumours have unfolded.
"I was surprised that it (the Gordon Strachan story) came out this week because it was done and dusted eight or nine weeks ago," Lennon said. "I don't know where it came from and I don't know why it came out at this time.
"And then we had the Scott Brown story that we are forcing him out which is complete nonsense. I think he would like it resolved. It is a good contract, a lengthy contract and it shows our commitment to him.
"I think both sides can make it happen so the sooner it is done the better. I would be disappointed (if Brown signed a pre-contract with anyone) but at the end of the day players have to look after themselves as well at times.
"The last thing I want or the club wants is for Scott to walk out of the door on freedom of contract. At the minute I am confident (that won't happen) but you just never know in football."
Lennon believes that players' agents and advisors can have a lot of influence in transfer deals in the contemporary game.
He said: "I think they can make or break deals and spoil things, this is a negative slant on it, there are a lot of good things that agents do in the game.
"But sometimes they can get in the way and sometimes they can influence a transfer one way or the other. We need to have a resolution with his advisors.
"I am very keen (to keep him). If you look at his playing record under us, we win more games than not when Scott Brown is playing.
"He has been a very influential player in the last year and a half and his own bravery and commitment has been detrimental to him with regards this injury.
"He kept playing when he probably shouldn't have done. But he is feeling good now and is training.
"It might be a bit early for him tomorrow but we are hoping for the Atletico Madrid game (next week) and the coming league games."
