Celtic captain Neil Lennon admits losing Roy Keane would be a huge blow to the Hoops' Champions League prospects next season.

Keane recently admitted he is considering ending his playing career at the end of this campaign due to a long-standing hip injury.

The 34-year-old former Republic of Ireland skipper, who only moved to Parkhead at the start of the year after 12 and a half years at Manchester United, is contracted to the Glasgow giants until the end of the season but said recently: "I will look at things in the summer and see how my hip is bearing up.

"I am due to go back to the hip specialist in the summer. It's important to be fair to myself and the club if it is affecting me. I will weigh it up then but there are no guarantees about next season, I have to say."

But Lennon, who will pick up his fourth Bank of Scotland Premier League medal in six years if the Hoops beat Hearts at Celtic Park tomorrow, urged Keane to play on as long as possible.

He said: "If Roy left it would be a huge loss for us because he has already shown his qualities. Hopefully we will be in the group stages of the Champions League and you can't afford to lose that type of player because there are not many Roy Keanes about.

"We make too much about age in Scotland. Roy is worth a fortune in today's market and at 34 he can still gallop up the pitch. We saw Teddy Sheringham playing at 40 on Sunday and he won the player of the year award at the age of 34.

"You don't know what's round the corner, but if you keep yourself right and fit you can keep going."

Lennon, whose own contract is up at the end of the season, was relaxed about his future at the Parkhead club. He said: "I am in the same boat as last year when my contract was not resolved until June.

"The manager has told me the door is open whenever I am ready to talk. If we can agree terms - and contrary to what people believe, I still need the money - we will discuss it.

"I have got a few things to think about. I don't want my star to wane here and overstay my welcome. But I have not had any injury problems, I'm fit."