Celtic are keeping the eye on the SPL prize

Neil Lennon is maintaining his focus on winning the SPL title again in the new season and denies there will be more focus on Celtic's European campaign. Celtic are favourites to retain their SPL title next season and Lennon insists that is his priority. Lennon is about to take his squad over to Germany for some pre-season games to finish off the preparations for the their title defence. Celtic face two qualifying rounds to make it to the lucrative Champions League group stages, and Lennon was asked if the European competition was his top priority.

He said: "I'm not too sure about that. We are the champions and the most important thing is to retain the championship. Europe is something that we would like to progress in and take this team forward, and the club as well. We're preparing as best we can from Monday. We go away on Sunday for a 10-day training camp and we'll be working very hard to get the players up to speed. These games come very, very quickly and are always fraught with danger. But Europe is a big carrot for us this year."

With a spare seat available on the technical bench after first-team coach Alan Thompson was sacked, Lennon is considering if it needs filled. He said: "I'm debating that at the minute with the other guys at the club. At the minute we'll go with what we have. We're always looking to improve. I've been away trying to improve myself over the summer. I went to France and watched all the games in the Euros, I've been speaking to other managers. Johann (Mjallby) has been away doing stuff. It's just natural progression and keeping everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. But I'm open, I've got a few people in mind or I might just go with what I've got."