Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed that he tried to sign Sol Campbell, David James and Jimmy Bullard for the Parkhead side. Lennon took over from Gordon Strachan at Celtic in 2010 and has explained who is immediate signing targets were.

“We had a major rebuilding job to do,” he said. “Artur Boruc was leaving, Aiden McGeady went for big money and then it was a question of reinvesting the money back into the squad. Originally tried to get a bit of experience in. “The likes of Sol Campbell was available. He spoke to us, didn’t want to come. David James, again, spoke to us but decided not to come, Jimmy Bullard. In the end the deal that Jimmy wanted was far too rich for us. I ended up going a different way. I had seen Gary Hooper the season before and was impressed with him.” Meanwhile, Lennon has also insisted that the view of Celtic from the outside is far removed from the reality of the daily pressures of the job. With the Parkhead side so far in front of the rest of the pack there is a feeling that it is straightforward to bring domestic success to the club, as Brendan Rodgers has done since arriving. “The job isn’t easy,” Lennon told BT Sport. “You still have to go out and win the games. There is a huge pressure managing a club like Celtic. The Champions League at that stage

“The Celtic job is never dull. It is so exciting. It breaks your hearts sometimes but it gives you a pride that you can’t ut into words. The feel you get from supporters, the buzz you get from winning games, the big European nights and the privilege of actually managing the club, and playing and captaining the club. I am very proud of my time there and I am glad I have a decent legacy to look back on. “