CELTIC boss Neil Lennon still has an abundance of options in defence and midfield – despite the departure of Thomas Rogne and the potential loss of Victor Wanyama.

That was the assessment of Tom Boyd today as he cast his expert eye over the comings and goings at the Parkhead club during the close season.

Norwegian centre-half Rogne completed his free transfer to English Championship club and FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic yesterday.

And he could soon be joined in England by Wanyama as Celtic have accepted a £12million bid for the Kenyan from Southampton.

Barclays Premier League newcomers Cardiff City and several other interested parties are also monitoring the 22-year-old's situation.

But Boyd reckons his former club can cope with the loss of both men – domestically and in Europe – next season due to the astonishing strength in depth of their squad.

"Celtic have got plenty of cover," the ex-Hoops captain stressed as the Scottish champions begin their pre- season tour of Germany.

"If anything, Neil Lennon has quite a few players to try to keep happy. Virgil van Dijk has come in from Groningen in the Netherlands during the summer and great things are expected of the centre-half.

"Then you have Charlie Mulgrew, who has played a lot there and done very well. Many people think that is his best position given how well he uses the ball and the quality of his delivery.

"On top of that, you have also got Kelvin Wilson, who really came on last season and performed much better. He grew in stature enormously as the season progressed."

Boyd added: "Efe Ambrose is quite raw at times. He takes chances sometimes when he is playing at centre-back. But what you see is what you get with him.

"He is very comfortable on the ball and can get forward with it. Perhaps the next step for him is to move into midfield. He certainly has the ability to do that.

"On occasion, he has played at full-back. He has played at full-back for his national team, Nigeria. The manager has a lot of good full-backs but having Efe gives him options.

"Neil has a lot of versatile players who can operate in a lot of different positions. Charlie, for example, can play at left-back, in left-midfield, at centre-half and in central midfield if need be.

"Being able to do that comes from having confidence in his own ability. Of course, a lot also depends on who the game is against and how the manager wants to approach it."

Despite helping Celtic reach the last 16 of the Champions League for only the third time in their history and win the SPL and Scottish Cup last season, Lennon has been actively attempting to recruit new players this summer.

He has brought in Portuguese forward Amido Balde as well as Van Dijk – at a combined cost of around £4.5m – and is looking to land at least another two players before the close of the summer transfer window next month.

French central defender Steven Mouyokolo, without a club since being released by Wolves in January, is currently on trial and has joined the club at their training camp. But Boyd has predicted van Dijk and Wilson can establish themselves as the first-choice defensive partnership at Parkhead during the 2013-14 campaign.

He said: "I can see Kelvin and Virgil being the first-choice centre-backs next season.

"Despite players being able to play in several positions, it is still possible for a player to go in there and make a position their own for the season by playing so well it forces the manager to retain them there.

"Some players will be determined to do that."

Boyd continued: "Virgil is a young boy, just 21, but comes with a big reputation. He was rated as one of the best players in the league last season.

"He is certainly, at 6ft 4in, a big lad. We will have to see if he is big terms of his stature and his composure. But I am optimistic because of the reports I have heard about him.

"Sometimes opportunities to sign players come along that it is impossible to turn down. If a player has been getting rave reviews and is within the club's price bracket then they have to move.

"I think that was the case with van Dijk. I am sure the chance to move to a big club that play in the Champions League is also an attraction for him. He will be looking to establish himself."

Boyd knows the departure of Wanyama, who excelled in the Champions League and scored in the famous 2-1 win over Barcelona, would be difficult for Celtic to cope with.

And he appreciates that if the defensive midfielder does decide to move on in the coming days, Ambrose is not a like-for-like replacement for him.

Still, he believes the 24-year-old could be moved forward into midfield to devastating affect.

"Efe is not the same sort of player as Wanyama," said Boyd. "He does not have the same sort of stature or presence on the field. Victor is so strong for such a young boy. He gives a team a definite presence in the centre of midfield.

"Efe is not as strong. But he has great abilities on the ball and can compete in central midfield if he is played there.

"Neil has also got Scott Brown, Joe Ledley and Beram Kayal. Mulgrew can also be used there. There is a lot of competition for places."