Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal believes that manager Neil Lennon should be rewarded with a new contract after the work he has done so far this season.

The former Hoops star has got the Glasgow giants sitting on top of the Scottish Premier League table and still alive in both cups competitions after inheriting a squad from Tony Mowbray in March last year.

In the wake of Sunday's 3-0 Old Firm derby win over Rangers, 22-year old Israeli international Kayal says it is now time to secure Lennon's services for the future of the club.

"Sometimes people forget this is a new team. We have brought in 13 or 14 new players," he said.

"The manager has made this team and it's fantastic. The team has gelled very quickly and I think it's because of the manager. We are a very young team who could be playing together at Celtic for the next three or four years.

"We have good young players and a good manager - together we could have good success.

"I am learning from him every day in training and all the players feel the same.

"We have a lot of talent but the manager pushes us every day and that's why we are a strong team."

Meanwhile, Bayal hurt his groin during Sunday's match and has confirmed that he will miss this weekend's trip to Motherwell.

"I felt something in my groin a little bit on Sunday. I spoke with the gaffer and saw the doctor," he added.

"That was important because the last time I felt the same thing I said nothing for three weeks and then needed to have an operation.

"Now I felt the pain and spoke with the gaffer. I will have two days rest and then see how it is."