Lennon delighted to capture his ‘first-choice’ goalkeeper Forster

we would like him to play on Thursday night,” said Lennon. “I will be advised by our goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods on that. We will have to see what sort of condition he is in, obviously, because I don’t think he has played that much football so far this season.”

Forster kept 24 clean sheets in 44 appearances for Celtic while on loan at the club last season and Lennon insists he was always his first-choice signing target for the position this summer.

“I made that pretty clear to the board at the end of the season,” said Lennon. “We put a bid in for him which Newcastle knocked back but it was just a question of being patient and trying to get him at the right time. I feel we have done that.

“We are delighted we got him back and we think he has huge potential. He knows the club, he knows our training regime and knows how I work. More importantly, he knows Stevie Woods very well.

“He trusts him and the two had a good relationship last year. It keeps things ticking over in that position. Ultimately I feel he is a very good goalkeeper. He had a very good season last term and made it clear to me he wanted to come back. He really enjoyed his time here and felt really at home. So hopefully it will be a seamless introduction for him.”

Lennon hopes Forster’s arrival does not include his incoming transfer business during the current window which has also seen Celtic sign Kelvin Wilson, Adam Matthews and Victor Wanywama so far.

“We are still looking to sign a striker and I’d also like to bring in some cover at left-back,” said Lennon.