THE grass may not always be greener on the other side -–but the green-eyed monster can often skew the vision, especially when it's young players who are involved.

The reports that Victor Wanyama is casting envious glances at the English top flight after just one season at Celtic has stunned and disappointed Hoops fans.

The 20-year-old midfielder is currently on international duty with Kenya, and is remaining tight-lipped about the accuracy of reports which claim he has indicated to friends he wants to try his luck down south.

Wanyama's father has denied the man bought for £900,000 from Belgian club Beerschot last summer has spoken to any other clubs.

But Celtic will want to speak to their player – and, more importantly, his agent – as soon as possible to remind them that Wanyama has another three years to run on the deal he was happy to sign less than 12 months ago.

And, unless a massive offer is forthcoming, Neil Lennon will continue to plan his defence of the SPL title and assault on the Champions League qualifiers with Wanyama at the heart of his team.

Joe Miller – who spent six years in the Hoops and who went on to become boss of Clyde – reckons it's another big test in the managerial learning curve being travelled by Lennon.

Now involved with a company which provides video analysis and profiles of players, the ex-winger reckons patience is something in very short supply in young players today.

He cites namesake Liam Miller – who walked away from Parkhead to pursue a career at Manchester United, which turned sour – as an example of how you might not appreciate what you have until you have let it slip through your fingers.

He said: "It might just be the prospect of earning more money that is behind this story. But I really don't think Victor Wanyama would get a better club to play for than Celtic.

"It's just the way many young players are these days, though.

"Remember when Mo Bangura signed last summer he said he would be here for a year, and use Celtic as a stepping stone to the Premiership.

"That just sums up the kind of attitude some players have. Lots of young boys think they are superstars, when, really, they have done nothing yet in the game."

In Wanyama's case, Miller is adamant his development would benefit greatly from continuing to learn his trade at Celtic, especially with the Champions League qualifiers coming up.

"Victor did well in his first season, though he wasn't always in the team when he first arrived," said Miller.

"He should hang around and try to establish himself, and I'm sure that playing in the Champions League would be a big benefit to him.

"Would he get that chance if he went to another club? I'm not so sure."

Miller has watched some of the top managers in the game, including Sir Alex Ferguson and Billy McNeill, deal with potentially damaging speculation about the men in their charge.

Since the advent of the Bosman ruling, the balance of power has swung dramatically in favour of the players.

But one thing which has never changed is that it is the men you want to keep who will invariably attract unwanted interest from other clubs.

Lennon has already reduced the excess weight his squad has been carrying, and a few more will also be encouraged to sever their ties with the club, with Daryl Murphy, Morten Rasmussen and Josh Thompson heading that particular list.

It is yet another big clear-out by the Hoops, making it the third summer in a row when the exit door has been in overdrive.

But Miller considers it simply an indication that Lennon wants to continue to improve his squad and needs to create space and free up funds for this to happen.

This 'housekeeping' also helps to strengthen the manager's hand if and when unwanted interest is shown in the players you do want to retain.

Miller said: "It's part and parcel of the game that, if your team is doing well, other managers will notice your better players.

"At the same time, the men you would like to see go are always the ones that it's hardest to move on."