Liam Lawrence reveals Neil Lennon prevented proposed Celtic move in 2010

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Former Republic of Ireland international Liam Lawrence has claimed he almost joined Celtic in 2010, but the proposed move fell through after a snub from Neil Lennon during his first stint as manager.

The winger says that terms had actually been verbally agreed between himself and the Hoops, but the move was never finalised.

He told talkSPORT (quoted by The Scottish Sun): “It was when I was leaving Stoke. I had a conversation with [Neil] Lennon and things progressed.

“We were away with Ireland at the time in Dublin and he came to the hotel and met me. We had a chat in a private – I don’t know if I should be talking about this to be honest!

“We had a chat, sort of agreed terms if you like and agreed everything. But after the meeting it went quiet and I never heard from him again. Things happen in football, it happens.”

Lawrence then subsequently left the Potters to join Portsmouth on a season-long loan, before turning the move permanent.

Lawrence also added that he would have loved to have gone to a club he describes as having ‘fantastic heritage’.

That summer, Lennon brought in Gary Hooper, Fraser Forster, Charlie Mulgrew, Emiliano Izaguirre and Joe Ledley, with Lawrence left to wonder what might have been.