Celtic has financial power and manager to break UCL glass ceiling says Lennon | OneFootball

Ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon believes the current team has the potential to progress further than the Champions League last 16 next season…

Celtic players pose for a photo on pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

This follows the Hoops’ impressive achievement of securing a spot in the knockout stage play-offs this campaign. Brendan Rodgers’ side ended the league phase of Europe’s elite club competition in 21st place out of 36 teams, setting up a clash with German powerhouse Bayern Munich to fight for a spot in the last 16.

Celtic came agonisingly close to forcing extra time against Vincent Kompany’s men over two hard-fought legs, but ultimately bowed out of the competition in heartbreaking fashion.

Nicolas Kuhn scores during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern München and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Lennon, who led Celtic to the last 16 back in the 2012/13 campaign, feels the team is capable of going even further – provided Rodgers is backed with the right resources in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Speaking to Scottish Football Social Club, Lennon said:

“I think they’ll back him. That’s why Brendan came back in the first place, and they spent big in the summer. The last 16 has been the glass ceiling since my time, since Gordon Strachan.

“I think it can be broken, and they’ve got the financial power to do that. They’ve also got the manager to do that.”

While Celtic remain fully concentrated on securing a sixth domestic treble in nine years before the season wraps up, Lennon is confident that preparations for summer transfers – both arrivals and exits – are already underway behind closed doors.

Indeed, the 53-year-old anticipates that his former club is likely to see at least one key player depart in the upcoming transfer window. He said:

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers in technical area at McDiarmid Park. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, 06 April 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

“There will be discussions going on from now until the transfers are made. Maybe one player leaves. Two good ones left this season in Kyogo and Matt O’Riley, but they were still very, very good in Europe and great domestically.

“What Brendan will want is to improve that incrementally. Yeah, it’s going to cost money, but the money is there to be spent.”

Conor Spence

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