Neil Lennon’s pal Paul Lambert was a big fan of Celtic newbie Moritz Bauer

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Celtic secured a solution to their problems at right-back yesterday with the arrival of Moritz Bauer from Stoke City on loan. The Austrian international is signed on until the end of the season at Celtic, at which point the deal can be made permanent should the Bhoys wish. 

Neil Lennon has been on the hunt for a new right-back this summer, following the departure of Mikael Lustig and finally, it seems a first-choice option has been acquired. 

It is also surely not a coincidence that Bauer was so highly-rated at Stoke by a man who has such a bond with Celtic boss Lennon. 

Indeed, Bauer even mentioned Lambert after signing for Celtic, as reported by The Telegraph.

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“Our former coach at Stoke, Paul Lambert, was telling us about the Old Firm derby day in, day out, so I think it’s going to be amazing.”

Paul Lambert did not sign Bauer for Stoke but he certainly used him. Lambert was appointed just six days after Bauer arrived at the Britannia Stadium and went on to use him in all but one of the 16 Premier League games in which he was in charge of Stoke. 

Lambert not only used him at full-back, but also on the wing in order to free up Xherdan Shaqiri from defensive duties. Speaking to the Stoke Sentinel about that switch, Lambert had glowing praise for the Austrian.

“He (Bauer) done great. It’s something I’ve thought about and I did it at Leicester in the second half. He has great energy and I felt we needed that…

“Moritz is the one I thought could handle it and I spoke to him before it and asked him how did he feel.

“He actually started his career there, so I knew he could handle it, and he’s a terrific kid as well.

“He’s a really clever guy and his temperament can handle most things.”

Lambert left at the end of that relegation season and Bauer has not been able to win over his successors, Gary Rowett and Nathan Jones. 

Lambert, however, was clearly a big fan and he and Celtic boss Lennon have a long-standing friendship. 

Not only did the pair play together at Parkhead but Lambert even signed Lennon as a player when manager at Wycombe Wanderers. 

Hopefully, Bauer can provide Lennon with the answers he needs to Celtic’s right-back problem.