NEIL LENNON is set to push the button on the latest batch of signing targets as soon as tonight's Champions League qualifier against Elfsborg ends.

The Hoops boss has had to put on hold his attempts to add a new striker to the four new players already brought in - Amido Balde, Steven Mouyokolo, Virgil van Dijk and Derk Boerrigter - as he had focused on reaching the play-offs.

But with Kelvin Wilson set to re-join Nottingham Forest in a £2.5million move after he has played against the Swedish champions tonight, Lennon is now also in the market for another defender.

The club have already taken in £17.5m from the sale of Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper.

If Celtic can get past Elfsborg to win a place in Friday's draw for the play-off round of the Champions League, another couple of million - at least - will be banked, along with the fee for Wilson.

Lennon said: "All I want to do is qualify then we will take it from there.

"Hopefully, we can negotiate this tie, then we've got two weeks to prepare for the next one.

"If we get through, I'm pretty sure we will add to the squad."

However, Lennon admits it could take some time to rebuild to this level again after seeing some key players depart over the past couple of months.

He said: "We've achieved a lot in the three years.

"We have built these players up and sold them for good money, which is to the enormous credit to everyone in the backroom staff and John Park (chief scout).

"So we will go again. It may take a couple of years to build a team as good as that again. But that's the challenge that lies ahead of us."

Forest initially offered £1.5m for Wilson, who wants to return south to be nearer his daughter, but that was rejected by the Hoops.

He still has two years of the contract he signed when he joined Celtic on a Bosman two years ago to run.

But the club have reluctantly conceded that the 27-year-old wants to leave, and have managed to prise another £1m from Forest.

Wilson is prepared to forego the chance to play in the Champions League once again - but Lennon expects him to be fully focused on helping the Hoops progress tonight.

"Having spoken to him, he is in the right frame of mind to play, which is a huge bonus for us," said the Hoops boss.

"I'm sure he won't let us down."

Lennon has some sympathy for the player and added: "Certain situations crop up and you deal with them the best you can.

"You have to think about the player as well as the situation at the club.

"He has family in Nottingham, a young daughter, and he finds it difficult being away from that family environment.

"That is the main crux of his situation."

Lennon is disappointed that Boerrigter, van Dijk and Tom Rogic are not fit to figure in this game on the plastic pitch at the Boras Arena.

But he is delighted European hitman Georgios Samaras has recovered from the toe injury he picked up when he was targeted by the Swedish club in the first leg.