Former Celtic midfielder Bobby Petta has lifted the lid on what Neil Lennon would like to do with the Celtic squad next term as he gets ready to build his own side.

The Dutchman believes Celtic need variation in their play and Neil Lennon has told him as much by saying sometimes they need to cut out on some of the build-up play on show. This means bringing in some new personnel capable of winning the ball further up the pitch.

Celtic were unstoppable during the invincible season but once teams had sussed out they operated it has become a hard slog. Any team who chooses to efficiently press the Celtic backline gets a good amount of joy and can frustrate the team.

Rodgers used his goalkeeper as a sweeper and wanted his side to build from the keeper to get up the pitch. Sometime it would produce great football and other times it was just clearly not working. Celtic start to the season just gone away from home was a shambles as a result.

Petta has confirmed Neil Lennon is set to mix it up.

“I can understand why Neil might stick with that style in European ties but, in domestic games, there’s not the same need for goalkeepers to be trying to build the play from the final third of the pitch.” Petta told SunSport.

“Look at last season’s Champions League [qualifying] tie against AEK Athens at Parkhead. We went 1-0 up early on but then we couldn’t get out of our own half when we should have been moving the ball quicker and occasionally going long.

“I’ve spoken to Lenny and that’s what he wants to do but he needs the right personnel. You need a target man who’s strong and has a big presence.

“We used to play it up to Chris Sutton but Odsonne Edouard, although he’s a very good striker, isn’t that type. Celtic need a focal point.”