Speaking ahead of the tie against Ferencvaros on Wednesday, Neil Lennon made the admission that his transfer plans has nothing to do with any Champions League windfall.

The cash involved in the group stage of the competition is so great, it undoubtedly makes a difference to the club’s coffers, but when it comes to who Neil wants in this season – he said Celtic have the money to bankroll the players he wants.

Asked if transfer dealings relied upon European football, Lenny made it clear that wasn’t the case:

“If we get into the Champions League then it puts us in an even stronger position to attract players and have more finances available.” The Celtic boss told CelticTV

“But financially we are in a decent, healthy position at the minute.

“Maybe from a footballing view the player might say the Champions League is a big carrot to come here.

“So it’s important to get Champions League football for so many different reasons and that’s another one to add.”

The bhoys haven’t made the group stages the past two seasons and will want to put that right. In one off ties during the qualifiers though, anything can happen. If Celtic do manage to get past the Hungarian champions there will be one more straight knockout qualifier to negotiate before a two legged affair in the playoffs.

It’s up to the players to prove they deserve to be there. It’s going to be a strange Champions League campaign but it’s where the club wants and needs to be.