Neil Lennon’s challenge to Olivier Kapo

Friday 5 November 2010

Neil Lennon’s challenge to Olivier Kapo

Neil Lennon today told new Bhoy Olivier Kapo that he holds the key to securing a long-term future at Celtic.

The 30-year-old French winger agreed an 18-month deal yesterday, although the Parkhead club have the option of releasing him in January if it is not working out.

But Lennon believes the very fact that the former Birmingham and Wigan man has agreed to a contract structured in such a way shows his desire to be a Celtic player for years to come. The Hoops boss revealed: “Olivier was here for a two-day period a couple of weeks ago. “The fact we were able to then do a deal shows that he wants to make a go of it here. I think he liked the training, enjoyed the facilities and liked the look of the club. “He hasn’t played a lot in the last year or two, but we have decided to bring him in on a short-term contract and it’s up to him to impress in that 10 to 12-week period. “We have nothing to lose really, it’s not costing us an amazing amount of money, and we just feel it might be something that could prove beneficial to us. “Olivier has a good pedigree having played in France, Italy and the Premiership. He is six foot one, athletic and he’s quick – and he has a good left foot which might just bring us a bit of balance to that side of the field.” Whether tomorrow’s Parkhead clash against Aberdeen comes too quickly for Kapo to be involved, even on the bench, remains to be seen, but Lennon has warned that he expects a tough task against the Dons if Celtic are to win and go back to the top of the SPL ahead of Rangers’ trip to St Mirren on Sunday. He told Channel 67: “They have lost a few results this season in games when they have been doing well, but we know that Aberdeen will always provide considerable opposition.” Lennon has Gary Hooper and Shaun Maloney fit again and he expects Daryl Murphy and James Forrest to be available in the next two weeks after injury.

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