Peter Lawwell gives major Celtic 'investment' the thumbs up as Brendan Rodgers sees Lennoxtown upgrades arrive

Peter Lawwell has given his approval to major Celtic plans for their state-of-the-art Barrowfield training facility.

In addition to the first-team's Lennoxtown complex, significant investment is being put towards the re-development of the centre in the heart of Glasgow's east-end. The development will host the Premiership champions' boys' and girls' academies and will also be the new dedicated training centre for Fran Alonso's Women's side.

Final planning details are poised to be confirmed "very soon" and "it is hoped that work will begin on site shortly." The project will take 12-15 months to complete. Lennoxtown is also undergoing some changes, with the first-team changing areas being fully refurbished and extended, new medical/treatment, sports science space and staff offices, plus the B Team areas are also being revamped. Chairman Lawwell said: “We are delighted to agree this commitment and we are certain it will be an important and positive investment in the club’s future.

"During the club’s illustrious history, so many young players have come through Celtic Football Club’s own development system to grace the first-team and through the new centre, with greatly improved facilities, we aim for even more success in this area. While there were opportunities to develop elsewhere, Celtic was born and has been raised in the East End of the City and it is right that we maintain this presence in the local community, in a place where so many Celtic Legends have been made.”

Rodgers explained: “Today’s announcement is very significant news for the club and will give our young players, boys and girls every opportunity to develop further. I know the club always aims to be the best in everything it does and the new centre