Celtic's SPL title hopes have been hit after Biram Kayal was ruled out for the season.

The Israeli international has been one of the top performers for Neil Lennon's troops since joining last summer.

Kayal, 23, suffered a fractured wrist in Wednesday night's shock 3-2 defeat against Inverness. He was stretchered off late in the game.

The club believes that he will be out of action for at least two months.

The midfielder is set to miss Celtic last three league matches and the Scottish Cup final.

It remains to be seen whether or not Kayal will return in time for Israel's vital Euro 2012 qualifiers in June.

A host of Premier League clubs have been watching Kayal this season but Lennon is adamant that the former Maccabi Haifa will stay at Celtic Park next season.

He said: "Kayal is happy here. He has a real hunger about him. As soon as I saw Kayal it was a no-brainer, he was the exact type of player I wanted.

"It's difficult to check on their temperament and how they'll settle but Kayal is a football monster. He just wants to play the game and win."