English club claim they were ‘hand picked’ by Neil Lennon to sign Celtic player

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Gillingham claim they were ‘hand picked’ by the Celtic manager Neil Lennon as the club to send Scott Robertson.

Robertson completed a season-long loan move from Celtic to Gillingham on Thursday afternoon.

The teenage midfielder made his Bhoys debut against CFR Cluj last season, but that remains his only competitive senior appearance to date.

Robertson is, nevertheless, highly-rated back at his parent club, according to the Gills.

“There is no doubt he is in Neil Lennon’s long-term plans at Celtic Park and this loan move to MEMS Priestfield Stadium was sanctioned and hand picked by the Celtic Manager,” read a statement on the League One side’s wesbite. “A number of clubs north and south of the border wanted the player, but for now he is a Gill.”

Robertson has spent more than a decade on Celtic’s books and signed a new three-year deal at Parkhead earlier this summer.

The Lenzie native will be managed at Gillingham by a Celtic-supporting Glaswegian in Steve Evans.

And Evans gave thanks to the Bhoys boss, adding: “I am incredibly pleased to get Scott to Priestfield. He is somebody I have watched several times and I’m very grateful to my friend Neil Lennon for believing we are the right place for Scott to continue his football development.

“We look forward to working with him and his addition will provide strong competition for places in our midfield. He is young, hungry, incredibly talented and I have no doubt the supporters will enjoy watching him as the season progresses. I thank the Chairman (Paul Scally) for getting a deal in place and he will be in contention for a place this weekend.”

Robertson could line up alongside another Scot, Alex MacDonald, in the Gillingham midfield.