NEIL LENNON believes Celtic's nap hand of World Cup 'ambassadors' will help sell the Hoops to potential signings.

The Parkhead boss reckons having Efe Ambrose (Nigeria), Emilio Izaguirre (Honduras), Fraser Forster (England), Tom Rogic (Australia) and Georgios Samaras (Greece) - though the striker is now at the end of his contract with the club - representing them in Brazil will deliver a huge bonus.

And it will not just be in the form of the estimated £200,000 payment from Fifa for having their players involved in the summer jamboree, which will be followed by an audience of billions.

Lennon believes that having Celtic against the the names of the famous five on their national squad lists will raise the profile of the Hoops.

And, as he prepares to try and persuade more quality players to join their ranks, Lennon is ready to try and use this advantage.

"It's fantastic to have these players involved," said Lennon.

"I think it is characteristic of the way we have improved over the last few years that we have got five players representing the club at the World Cup.

"That's great for the reputation of the club and can only enhance our chances of bringing other players here, if those players do well."

Lennon is also headed to Brazil as part of the BBC's match-analysis team, but insisted this, too, will be of benefit to Celtic.

"I'm going for a week," confirmed Lennon.

"That will give me the opportunity to look at players while I am there, and take in the experience of a World Cup in Brazil.

"I probably wouldn't have gone otherwise.

"I will be working with the BBC and working for the club, as well, to see if I can find any players."

Having just watched St Johnstone lift the William Hill Scottish Cup for the first time in their history, to join Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen in the list of trophy winners this term, Lennon reckons that the health of the SPFL Premiership is improving.

The fears the game in this country would be set on a seriously-downward spiral after Rangers exited the top flight have proved to be unfounded.

And Lennon is sure that while enticing potential signings to Parkhead will be difficult, it will not be impossible, especially with Champions League football within reach.

He: "I think it has been a good season. There has been a variety of positive stories.

"We have three different clubs winning the League, Scottish Cup and League Cup.

"The battle for second spot went right to the last game [with Motherwell retaining the runner-up spot].

"The battle for the play-off spot went right to the last game.

"Most of the crowds are up on last season, and there has been the emergence of some really good talent.

"So, slowly, but surely, it is beginning to pick itself up again."