Lennon lands in Holland to scout £5m Finnbogason... and fellow striker Johannsson impresses with double strike



Celtic boss Neil Lennon has begun his search for new recruits by flying to Holland to run the rule over strike pair Aron Johannsson and Alfred Finnbogason.

And the Parkhead boss will have departed with positive impressions of American international Johannsson in particular after watching him score two goals for Dutch side AZ in Wednesday night’s Amstel Cup victory over Finnbogason’s Heerenveen.



With Lennon planning a rebuilding job on his squad after a disappointing Champions League campaign, he is actively seeking new arrivals in the New Year window.



Impressive audition: American forward Aron Johannsson (right) scored twice in front of Neil Lennon

During Wednesday’s spying mission, he saw 23-year-old Johannsson score in normal and extra time in a 2-2 draw before his team triumphed on penalties in the last-16 cup tie.

Iceland international Finnbogason, 24, was linked with a £5million switch to Glasgow in the summer, while Johannsson - who also has an Icelandic background but has made six appearances for Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA side - has also been linked with the Scottish champions.



While Lennon surveys potential incomers - with a striker and midfielder among his priority positions - there could also be movement out of Parkhead soon.

Off target: Alfred Finnbogason shoots past Zwolle goalkeeper Diederik Boer but misses the goal

On the radar: Finnbogason first aroused interest in Glasgow in the summer

Both Joe Ledley and Georgios Samaras are looking increasingly likely to leave, with Lazio declaring an interest in the Greek international.



Samaras is out of contract in the summer and appears certain to be on his way out after six years in Glasgow.

Like Ledley, the 28-year-old has been asked to take a pay cut to remain, and both Toronto FC and Hull City have been linked with a move for the former Manchester City player.



But the Italians have become the first club to make public their interest.



On their way out? Georgios Samaras (left) and Joe Ledley (right) could be set to leave Celtic

It is believed they had him watched during Celtic’s 6-1 defeat in Barcelona this month, but that European humbling and Samaras’ poor performance has not put them off.



Sporting director Igor Tare said: ‘Samaras is a footballer I really like personally. We were previously interested in him four years ago if I remember correctly, but nothing happened. Next week we will sit down with our manager, Vladimir Petkovic, to determine our movements in the transfer market.’

