Neil Lennon gives up on Kris Commons January move

Kris Commons celebrates scoring the winner against Ross County. Picture: SNS

NEIL Lennon has abandoned his attempt to sign Celtic’s Kris Commons during this transfer window.

The Bolton boss has been linked with a move for the former Derby midfielder and was reportedly keen on luring Commons to Lancashire to bolster his squad.

But Celtic’s insistence that the ex-Scotland international won’t be going anywhere has convinced Lennon to give up his attempt to sign Commons.

The former Celtic manager told STV: “Celtic have come out publicly and said he’s not for sale, he won’t be leaving and we haven’t pursued that any further.

• Neil Lennon confirms Kris Commons interest

“I’ve got a great relationship with Celtic, a great relationship with Peter [Lawwell] and I don’t want to damage that.

“People keep asking me about Kris and I feel uncomfortable talking about him because he is Celtic’s player at the end of the day.”

Commons played a vital role in Lennon’s Celtic side, with the 31-year-old netting 32 goals in all competitions during the 2013/14 season.

• Ronny Deila: Kris Commons not leaving Celtic

But he became an increasingly peripheral figure under Ronny Deila, with Commons appearing in around half of Celtic’s matches so far this campaign.

The Mansfield-born attacking midfielder had been linked with a move to Bolton, with the rumour mill going into overdrive following Celtic’s 2-0 win over Hamilton earlier this month, as Commons appeared to say a farewell to the Celtic fans, throwing his boots into the crowd.

But Lennon feels that even if a playing role for Commons isn’t assured under Deila, the Celtic hierarchy should consider him for a coaching position.

• Kris Commons ‘no nearer’ Celtic deal, agent says

The Northern Irishman added: “It was something that myself and Peter Lawwell talked about. Kris gets the club, he gets Celtic.

“He was having a great season last year and we talked about it in terms of working again together when his career finished.

“He’s an intelligent boy, I think he’d have plenty to offer on the coaching side of things.

“I think he would be an asset for Celtic in a coaching capacity.”