But rising star Tony Watt can see no reason to believe his opportunity to play a major role in Celtic's season has been dealt a double blow.

The confident teenager has just picked up the Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month award for the impressive impact he made in August.

Now Watt has set his sights on building on that platform, and continuing to put pressure on Lennon to retain him in his plans, despite the arrival of the Venuzuelan Miku and Tunisian Nouioui on season-long loans.

He said: "I was playing under-17s for Airdrie – now I'm playing for Celtic.

"You are playing at Second Division parks every week where there is one or two stands. Then you come here to Celtic Park and it all changes.

"Hopefully, I can be involved against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

"If I am, happy days. If I'm not, hopefully the boys can get a result."

Watt is not allowing his early success, both in the team and in front of goal, to inflate his ego.

The kid who scored for Scotland Under-21s earlier in the week knows it is imperative he continues to show the hunger and willingness that first caught the eye of Lennon.

The elbow injury sustained by Georgios Samaras while playing for Greece last week, allied to the fact the new signings have had little chance to train with their new team-mates due to the international break, should ensure Watt is involved against St Johnstone on Saturday when Celtic can return to the top of the SPL.

But Watt said: "It's not good when one of your best players is injured.

"We need Sami in the Champions League games because he is one of our main threats."

The Champions League action kicks off next Wednesday, and Watt is bullish about Celtic's chances, despite the strength of opposition.

"Barcelona are the best team in the world, but Benfica and Spartak Moscow are beatable," he said. "At home, even Barcelona are beatable.

"You never know with Celtic at Parkhead – it's just a different level."