NEIL LENNON today tipped colossus Victor Wanyama to be an even bigger star than he was in his debut season.

The Kenyan played his first game of the pre-season tour in the 2-1 win over Vfr Aalen after being given extra holiday time following summer internationals.

Lennon believes the 21-year-old is now ready to make a huge impact in their Champions League qualifiers, and said: "He was tremendous and he is a great example to the other players. We are going into a level where we need to be really well-conditioned.

"Particularly away from home, we are going to have to play strongly without the ball."

Wanyama was in central defence against Aalen, but Lennon accepts the youngster prefers midfield, which is one more reason why the Hoops boss is now stepping up his bid to bring in another exper-ienced centre-back.

He said: "We are still short of a centre-half. You can see that. If we get an injury to Rogne, Wilson or Mulgrew, we only have three recognised centre-halfs and, obviously, it is another priority to try and bring one in quickly."

Lennon said chief executive Peter Lawwell has made no progress in his pursuit of the players the manager wants.

Polish defender, Sebastian Boenisch, is still waiting for a call from Celtic to tell him if they plan to make him an offer.

He said: "I'm waiting for a call from Glasgow to tell me if there is anything happening.

"But I'm not going to rule out a move to a club in Eastern Europe. There are clubs in Russia and Ukraine who have shown interest in me."

The 25-year-old, who rejected a new deal from Werder Bremen, saw a contract offer from Stuttgart withdrawn after he had performed at the European Championships last month.

"I'm not hiding I was very disappointed with what happened with Stuttgart," said Boenisch, whose appearances over the past two seasons have been limited by a knee problem.

"They have put me in a difficult situation, because I have little time to find a club.

"I've even heard rumours they withdrew because there is something wrong with my knee. That's nonsense.

"The doctors have said it is fully healed and regenerated, there are no remains of the injury.

"Now I want to quickly find a club for the start of the new season."

Meanwhile, Lennon dispelled concerns over Emilio Izaguirre's health when he confirmed that the Honduran defender, who has not played any part in Celtic's pre-season tour of Germany, has a viral infection, but that he is expected to be back in contention for a place in the side to play Ajax on Saturday.

Lennon said: "Emilio has a viral infection. We are hoping it will only be a couple of days and, hopefully, he will train tomorrow.

"We are short at full-back with Adam Matthews injured, but he is just coming back. He might get some game time on Saturday."