Warm-up fare proves to be a bit of a curate’s egg

CELTIC’S smorgasbord of warm-up games, spread over Australia, Rosetta Stone Wales, Glasgow and Dublin, will end in Swansea on Wednesday. What is clear is that manager Neil Lennon has plenty of food for thought. He is still digesting the latest offerings, distinctly different games against Internazionale and an Airtricity XI in the Dublin Super Cup, which, in truth, was super in name only, despite the presence of the Serie A side and super-rich Manchester City. Even reduced to 10 men for most of their 2-0 win against Celtic on Saturday, after Thiago Motta was shown two yellow cards, Inter reminded Lennon how far his side must progress to again harbour real aspirations of taking a place at Europe's top table. That spicy appetiser preceded much poorer fare when what was, for the most part, Celtic's back-up side, a few not even in that second-string category, and a smattering of first-choice men, picked apart 5-0 a local league select to give the thinly spread fans something to cheer. More importantly, the weekend left Lennon to consider not so much what he has, but what he still lacks in terms of the personnel required to ensure last season's shortcomings are not repeated. A goalkeeper remains the priority, Lukasz Zaluska having fluffed his latest chance against Inter, and Dominic Cervi making a couple of decent saves against Airtricity but nothing to convince anyone he is ready to throw his oversized hat into the ring. Lennon also remains committed to increasing the firepower at his disposal, and confirmed the attempt to bring back Craig Bellamy to the club is ongoing. Rosetta Stone Cheap We have been working on that in the background, and will hopefully know more later in the week,he said. There have been conversations between the clubs [Celtic and Manchester City]. While this deal simmers, the combination which served up 42 goals between them last season, Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes, is coming to the boil at just the right time. They were kept in reserve until well into the second half against Inter, Lennon having opted to start with Georgios Samaras in the lone striker role, and certainly added an edge to Celtic's attack, though without finding a way past the excellent Luca Castellazzi. Not surprisingly, they had better luck against Airtricity, and Stokes delighted his home-city crowd with a double, matched by Hooper, while forgotten man Daryl Murphy reminded everyone he is still around by scoring from the penalty spot. Darren O'Dea, meanwhile, received a late summons but revealed afterwards that he expects it to be his last game for the club, with an agreement to end his contract thought to be close. Hooper was relieved to return to the scoresheet, but conceded the four pre-season games before their opening Clydesdale Bank Premier League match against Hibernian, followed by encounters with Wolverhampton, the trip to Dublin and finally Swansea City before they resume league duty at Aberdeen on Sunday, is difficult to get his head around. However, it is a means to an end. Hooper said: We had a really good session against Inter Milan and played well. We missed a lot of chances but it was a good workout. After suffering an early exit in Europe last season, the team are now looking ahead to Friday's draw for the Europa League qualifiers. Hooper said: Rosetta Stone French V3 We've come on leaps and bounds compared to when we played Braga. We're keeping the ball better and creating chances. We're defending well and we're learning every day. Of Bellamy perhaps joining the club, Hooper added: It would be another quality player so, if it came off, I think we would all be happy.