Celtic manager Neil Lennon has defended the inclusion of defender Efe Ambrose in the squad that will take on Cliftonville in the UEFA Champions League qualifier later tonight.
The Nigeria international who was given an extended holidays after recently featuring for Nigeria at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil where he played all three group games was recalled to duty by Celtic coach..
Celtic fans are however concerned about Neil Lennon's decision to enlist the former Ashdod FC defender as this could backfire following his terrible input in the last-16 tie against Juventus in February after such a hasty inclusion in club duty immediately he returned from Africa Cup of Nation. He had arrived Glasgow on the morning of the match, but insisting he was fit to play.
He gifted Alessandro Matri an early goal, wasted the Hoops’ best chance and lost the ball to let in Mirko Vucinic for a third in the 3-0 loss to Juve.
With Adam Matthews, Charlie Mulgrew and Virgil van Dijk injured, plus Steven Mouyokolo signed yesterday but not available until the second leg, boss Neil Lennon has called on Ambrose earlier than expected.
"Efe is in contention. He looks great, he looks in good condition. These guys play almost 12 months a year," Lennon was quoted as saying by Scottish Express.
"He’s had a couple of weeks off. He had a heavy schedule with the Confederations Cup, had holidays, did a little bit of training in Nigeria and then joined us and looks fine.
"It probably would have been ideal for him to do a little bit of conditioning work but he looks in fine fettle,"Neil Lennon revealed.
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