Speaking in Melbourne ahead of Celtic’s final tour game against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday night, Lennon praised the game’s potential Down Under.

And he said Celtic had a part to play in the code’s  development as it competes in a crowded sporting landscape with other football codes such  as Aussie Rules, League and Union.

“Obviously we’ve got a huge fan-base in Australia and on the way make new friends and promote the game if we can. I think it’s important because you get a lot of AFL down here,” he said with smile.

“I would like to see soccer certainly take more of a forward step in Australia. I think there’s great potential in Australia with the facilities you have and the population.

“At the minute you’re just not one of the biggest sports in the country.”

For those fans who’ve experienced the Celtic game-day atmosphere so far on this tour will attest to the club’s potential to win over local fans.

And on Wednesday night that atmosphere should be at its very best when Celtic’s army of fans face arguably the biggest and best fan-base in the country from Melbourne Victory.

The game has the potential to win many new fans to football and the A-League as the game looms as a sell-out at AAMI Park.

Meanwhile, Lennon said that markets like Australia were important in the club’s overall recruiting policy as they look to recruit players outside regular Europe.

He cited the example of 19-year-old Kenyan defender Victor Wanyama’s move to Parkhead last month from Belgian club Germinal Beerschot.

And with a restructure of the Celtic youth academy in recent years, Lennon was hoping to capitalise on the investment by finding players from all points of the globe.

Lennon has already praised Central Coast Mariner Josh Rose after Celtic’s 1-0 loss in Sydney ten days ago. He said no-one really caught his eye in Perth but Victory’s talented and young squad was well placed to potentially catch his eye.

“Australia could be a market for us to look at. We need to be productive in all areas and this is part of it, to come down and see the set-up and the facilities," Lennon said. 

Lennon added he’ll likely use his full squad on Wednesday night against Melbourne Victory. “There’ll be few changes in the squad from the game on Saturday [against Perth Glory].

“I think this will be the toughest game of the tour by all accounts.”

Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic said that with just over a week’s preparation, he’ll use his full squad on Wednesday including new signing Jean-Carlos Solorzano from champions Brisbane Roar.