Gordon Strachan has told new signing Evander Sno he will have to fight for his place in the first team at Celtic, but the Hoops boss believes he has just secured the services of one of the stars of the future.

The 19-year-old midfielder has signed a three-year-deal with the Scottish champions, just 24 hours after they recruited Chelsea's Jiri Jarosik. The Feyenoord teenager spent last season on loan at NEC Breda and has been tracked by Celtic scouts since last year.

Strachan is thrilled the finally land the youngster after thrashing out a compensation deal with the Dutch outfit but he has warned Sno will face tough competition from his Celtic regulars next term.

"We've got to remember that Evander is still a young man in terms of footballing experience, and first-team experience, so we are not rushing him anywhere," he said. "But he's got ability and intelligence and hopefully we can see an all-round footballer.

"I'm trying to make the squad as big and strong and healthy and as young as I possibly can. We are trying to make it difficult in every position, we are trying to make competition for every position.

"When Evander is ready, hopefully he will compete and if he deserves that place, he will get that place."

Meanwhile, Strachan expects skipper Neil Lennon to report for pre-season training as planned on Friday despite reports he is holding talks with Crystal Palace.

He is confident the veteran midfielder will put pen to paper on a new deal when he returns from holiday and said of the interest from Selhurst Park: "I've not heard a thing about it. Neil will be coming on Friday."