CELTIC’S final piece of business during the 2020 summer transfer window took the form of Uruguayan internationalist Diego Laxalt, who has joined on a season-long loan from AC Milan.

Laxalt put pen to paper at Paradise yesterday evening (Monday), and Hoops boss Neil Lennon is looking forward to working with the left-sided player, stating he will be available to play against his parent club when the sides meet in the UEFA Europa League group stage.

“I admire him very much,” said the manager “I watched him in the World Cup and thought he had an outstanding competition. He was playing in a very good Uruguayan team with some outstanding players and he looked very comfortable in that company.

“We’ve been tracking him for a very long time – we tried to get him in this time last year, but we couldn’t do it. To get that deal over the line is fantastic business from the board and the club. The player looks really happy to be here, having spoken to him last night. He’ll bring a lot of quality and inspiration to the team.

“As far as I’m aware, he’ll be available in the Europa League group stages and he’ll be available for the Rangers game as well. He’s been training, he’s not played much with Milan so far, but he’s fit and he’s available for the next games."

Neil Lennon also stressed that while pleased with the club’s incomings during this transfer window, he’s also delighted to keep the squad intact, and reckons the likes of Diego Laxalt’s introduction is good for competition.

“He’s a great defender," said the Hoops boss. "He’s got great quality on the ball, he’s very tenacious, very fit, and again, he’s got a great desire to make things happen. I like his tenacity more than anything else, he refuses to get beaten or give the ball away, and I just think he’s a quality player who’s playing at a high level.

“It’s a huge season, if you look at the games we’ve got coming up after the international break, they’re absolutely mouth-watering.”

Manager sings praises of new Bhoy Diego Laxalt