Lennon warns Premier League sides off star.
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Celtic boss Neil Lennon has issued a hands off warning to any clubs hoping to sign midfielder James Forrest after he was linked with a switch to Cardiff City, Sky Sports reports.
Reports over the weekend have suggested that the Welsh side are weighing up a move for the 22-year-old when the transfer window reopens in January having been impressed with his performances in the Champions League recently.
Lennon has accepted that the player will receive attention if he continues to perform at the same level consistently, but he has also insisted that the Scottish international will be going nowhere.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if other clubs were looking at James because he is a brilliant player,” Lennon said.
“But he signed a long-term contract 18 months ago. We are months and months away from the window – he is not for sale.
“I don’t know if people are trying to unsettle players here.
“It’s as if everyone wants me to sell a player every month – people talked about Virgil van Dijk, Scott Brown, Fraser Forster and now James. These players are not going anywhere.
“We are in a very stable position as a club and that is something which is a rarity in this day and age.
“The players are happy, vibrant and we have a lot to look forward to.
“We are on a great run domestically and we’re in a hell of a group in the Champions League where we have competed brilliantly in all three games.”
Forrest broke into the Celtic team back in 2010 and has gone on to make over 100 appearances, scoring 20 goals. He also has nine Scotland caps to his name but has yet to find the net yet.