Celtic transfer bulletin sees Callum McGregor at centre of signing demand by former boss as Lunin has EPL on alert

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes Callum McGregor must be freed from his full-time role of firefighting in the Parkhead engine room.

The Irishman – who managed the now skipper for two years – believes Brendan Rodgers will get more out of the Scotland star if he can find a bonafide defensive midfielder in the January window. McGregor has been the pivot in the No.6 role for much of the past three seasons since Scott Brown's retirement. Tomoki Iwata's injury means McGregor has returned to a deeper role which Lennon believes negates some of his former protege's greatest attributes.

And now the 52-year-old has called on a robust defensive midfield option and a new striker to help Kyogo and Oh to be secured during a pivotal January window, Lennon, speaking exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone, said: "The main concern for me when it comes to where Celtic can still strengthen, is the lack of height and physicality sometimes, particularly against higher quality opposition. Callum McGregor is having to play in a six role, and I think he's far better in the eight.

"So I'd want a new number six to come in, a ball winner, a new, strong presence in midfield. And then another striker to supplement Kyogo [Furuhashi]. [Hyeon-Gyu] Oh's still a work in progress, you know. He's got really good attributes, and he'll come good in years to come. But for the here and now,

"I'd just be looking to strengthen those two central areas, in midfield and up-front. They've got plenty of wingers, and plenty of cover at centre-half, when everyone's fit. But I'd like to see a bit more physicality in the team... particularly in that number six area."

Meanhwile, Andriy Lunin's suitor list continues to bulge with the Celtic target being watched by