By Cathal Dervan

Celtic captain Neil Lennon has suggested he may retire at the end of the season, but manager Gordon Strachan wants his main man to stay at Parkhead and lead the Champions League charge next season.

Lennon’s contract expires in the summer and the 34-year-old told Celtic View: “If the club wants to come to me in January, great, but, if not, I am happy to see things through to the end of the season.

“I might hang them up or move elsewhere but that’s the last scenario we’re looking at, at the minute. I want to be a winning captain and getting the title back is my priority this season. That’s what I’d like to be remembered by as a captain.”

Strachan, currently in talks with Stilian Petrov about a new deal, is also anxious to keep hold of Lennon.

“I see no reason why Neil can’t play on,” said Strachan. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’re enjoying his company and his play. He’s enjoying his training and has been excellent.

“He’s like me. I stopped my career on a Monday morning after playing against Liverpool in front of 45,000 people. I just walked in and said that’s enough for me.”

Lennon wants fellow midfielder Stilian Petrov to stay at the club and succeed him as captain. “It is imperative he stays because he’s the lifeblood of the club,” added Lennon.

“He is 26 and has his peak years ahead of him. He is playing some fantastic football and is one of the best midfield players in Britain. He is vice-captain anyway and whenever I am out of the team for one reason or the other Stan takes over so he’s the ideal replacement.”

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood has backed Celtic to regain the Scottish League after his side’s 3-1 defeat on Sunday saw the Bhoys move a whopping 17 points clear of champions Rangers.

Irish international Aiden McGeady, Petrov and Paul Telfer were all on target in the win for Strachan’s side as they bounced back from a shock loss at home to Dunfermline the previous week.

Calderwood said, “They are a very strong team. They came back from a bad result last week and they have strength in depth and have the quality when everybody is fit. I understand Chris Sutton wasn’t fit so when he comes in they are a fantastic side and they are going to be a very hard team to stop.”

Celtic boss Strachan commended his players for their comeback after going a goal down against Aberdeen.

“I thought that we were confident throughout the game. The difference in the second half was that we were deadly in the final third,” he said.

“Aberdeen getting the first goal caused us a problem but we recovered very well and went from very good to excellent. It was another test of character and my players were truly magnificent.”

The Scottish FA have vowed to investigate incidents during the game when Neil Lennon had a coin thrown at him after McGeady’s equalizer.

On the transfer front, Hibs have denied reports in the Scottish press that Celtic are about to sign their star players Gary Caldwell and Derek Riordan while Aberdeen’s Kevin McNaughton has also rubbished claims that he is on the verge of a move to Parkhead.

Strachan has also claimed he is in no rush to boost his squad when the transfer window opens next month.

“I would be happy to let it pass,” he said. “But, if somebody special comes along, you have to look at them. I don’t think there’s money available, which is why they will have to be special and really cheap, but I can’t see it.

“If something happens then fine, but I’m not waiting for the transfer deadline to come. But a lot of managers are.”

Scottish under-21 midfielder Paul Lawson has signed a contract extension that will see him remain at Celtic Park until the summer of 2008.

Keane Mystery

ROY Keane has yet to announce his plans for next month, with Real Madrid still the favorites to land the former Manchester United captain despite Sunday’s decision to sack Brazilian boss Wanderly Luxembergo.

Keane was expected to reveal his next destination on Monday but that was delayed in light of Real’s announcement that their manager of just eight months was to leave.

Madrid have formally offered Keane a six month contract and have agreed to his demands for wages and regular flights home to his family in Manchester, but the player wants an 18 month deal.

Agent Michael Kennedy has held talks to bring the club and player together with a possible option on a one year extension seen as the solution for both sides, with Spanish league leaders Barcelona also keen on Keane.

A clutch of English clubs are waiting in the background on Real, with Celtic now unlikely to sign the Irishman.

Everton, West Brom and Bolton have all spoken to Kennedy. Everton boss David Moyes admitted, “Myself and probably 20 or 30 managers are waiting to see if there are any developments.”

Bolton supremo Sam Allardyce saw his side move into the top six of the Premiership with a win against Arsenal on Saturday then said, “We would like Roy very much. I hope he may glance at us or happen to see over the next couple of days how we played against Arsenal.

“He will have seen a winning team and that may persuade Roy to join us. But we can only decide that if his representatives give us a ring. We can’t do any more than we did against Arsenal and if Roy was out there I’d ask him to have a look at that game and ask himself whether Bolton was a good club to join.

“We have an advantage because he lives in the north west. Unless Roy wants to up sticks with his family and move away from the area, we are the perfect club for him.”

Scully’s Job

SHAMROCK Rovers have appointed former defender Pat Scully as their new boss as the ousted Roddy Collins threatens to sue the Hoops.

Collins has taken legal advice to obtain the 12 months wages outstanding on his contract when he was sacked last week, but already Rovers have given his job to Kilkenny manager Scully.

One time Irish international Scully said, “The great news about the board at Shamrock Rovers is that they are determined to do things properly and that is what I demanded of my players at Kilkenny City.

“The name of Shamrock Rovers was once associated with quality and that was wasted over the last few years. If we try to do everything in as professional a manner as possible then we can bring some great days back to this club.”

Collins believes he will win his legal fight and said, “I sense something underhand about the whole thing. I think legally they’re wrong as well so my solicitor will be following that up.”

Barry Stays

EAMONN Barry has made his peace with the Meath County Board and will remain in charge of the Meath football team, but only after conceding ground to his employers.

A five hour meeting in Navan on Monday saw Barry strike up an agreement with the Board that gives them almost complete control over his handling of the senior squad.

Barry has agreed not to criticize the board in public, not to appoint his brother Martin or Dessie Rogers to his backroom team and has also agreed that the board can veto any appointments or expenditure he wants to make.

The deal was announced at a meeting in the Ardboyne Hotel on Monday night when the board agreed to withdraw a motion to sack Barry as boss.

“I am delighted to stay on,” said Barry. “It is in the interest of Meath football that we put it all behind us. Meath football is the winner here.”

Soccer Shorts

SPURS striker Robbie Keane was reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up with Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids before Saturday’s win over Sunderland when the Dubliner scored. A Tottenham spokesperson said, “We see it as a sign of the players’ passion and commitment. There was an incident, but it was handbags and it’s all over and forgotten now.” . . .

IRISH midfielder Lee Carsley has signed a 12 month extension to his contract at Everton. Carsley, currently out injured, said, “Once myself and the boss sat down to discuss things, it was all done and dusted very quickly. I love it at Everton and always wanted to stay and the club made it clear that they wanted me here, so it was easy.” . . .

WEST Brom fancy a move for Charlton’s out of favor midfielder Matt Holland if they fail to land former Manchester United and Ireland captain Roy Keane . . .

SLIGO Rovers have been fined €500 by the eircom League after a flare went off as they celebrated promotion in the match against Athlone last month . . .

CORK City boss Damien Richardson was named Phillips manager of the month for November after guiding the Leesiders to the League title . . .

STRIKER Alan Murphy has returned to Galway United after an unhappy spell with Derry City . . .

BOHS have been hit with a €1,000 fine after their fans caused trouble at Bray in November.

GAA Shorts

CROKE Park officials have confirmed that all 44 GAA players drug tested this year passed the doping tests. “We are delighted with this news and it’s what we would expect from our players,” said GAA president. “People must remember that they are only amateur sportspeople but they give an amazing commitment.” . . .

THE forthcoming Roscommon and Dublin conventions are to debate motions calling on the GAA to abandon the Compromise Rules series against Australia after the unruly scenes in the recent second test in Melbourne . . .

THE National Football League season will commence on February 4 with the hurling leagues underway on February 19 . . .

RESIDENTS around Croke Park are to fight plans by the GAA to erect floodlights at headquarters.