Celtic Protect Lennon After Package Scare

The fall-out from Wednesday night's controversial Old Firm Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Parkhead continued as news of the package emerged.

The item, which was intercepted at a sorting office in Saltcoats, turned out to be a hoax, Celtic confirmed.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "Clearly, this most recent sickening event in a long line of threats to Neil and his family is extremely worrying.

"This demonstrates the intensity and pressure which Neil endures as the Celtic manager. However, he has coped with these issues incredibly well during his short time as manager, showing what a strong character he is.

"Indeed, it is extremely sad that Neil has had to contend with such issues for more than a decade, both as a Celtic player and manager.

"No-one in any walk of life should have to live their life in this way and those responsible should be condemned.

"It goes without saying Neil and his family will continue to receive every support from the club.

"We know Neil will also have the full backing of all our fans as he and the club did on Wednesday evening. While these events are very concerning, we would ask that they continue to back the club in this positive Celtic manner.

"While the authorities and other commentators have taken a close interest in recent football events, we would hope they would give similar attention to also condemning such actions."

The Celtic boss had clashed with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist at the end of the 1-0 home win, which saw three Rangers players red-carded.

Ahead of tomorrow's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hamilton at Celtic Park, first-team coach Alan Thompson took over Lennon's duties at the regular pre-match press conference.

Asked why Lennon had not appeared, Thompson replied: "Neil had a lot on his plate in the last couple of days and he thought it was right to stand out the way for a day or two.

"He has had 24-hour surveillance outside his house two days in a row protecting him and his family and he thought it was right to step out of the way.

"I spend a lot of time with him at work and away from work and I know how difficult it is for his family in Scotland and in Ireland.

"He has been up here 11 years and he has had it from then until the present and will have it until he leaves.

"I think it is important that he gets the protection and backing that we give him."

Thompson revealed that Lennon had apologised to the Celtic board for his behaviour and had made up with McCoist immediately after Wednesday's match.

Former Celtic midfielder Thompson said: "Neil apologised to the board regarding the events after the game on Wednesday night and the board have accepted that.

"As soon as Ally and Neil saw each other after the game there was a handshake and an apology from both.

"It was fantastic and they didn't just stay in there for two minutes after the game, the Rangers management were in there for a good 25, 30 minutes."

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain claimed much of the tension around the cup replay was because two Light Blues players had been subject to "extreme verbal abuse" in the original tie at Ibrox which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Thompson played down those claims, saying: "We can go back with counter-allegations but why should we? We are not going to bring ourselves to do that.

"These things happen week-in, week-out, it just so happens at the moment things are coming out."

Bain also alluded to Celtic's criticism of referees earlier in the season having had an influence on Calum Murray's performance on Wednesday night but Thompson was having none of that either.

He said: "Not at all. Rangers are entitled to have their opinion. I thought the referee did a very good job.

"He was put in some very, very difficult positions and I thought he coped well with it.

"People who mark him on his performances gave him an 8.4 which is apparently a very good mark.

"So from my point of view, I think he is the top ref.

"I have been saying that for a long time but Rangers are entitled to their opinion."

Both clubs will attend a summit next week with the Scottish Government and police but former Bolton player Thompson would prefer to have any football problems dealt with in-house.

He said: "The police will get involved in anything off the field in terms of supporters but in football matters it would be nice if we could sort the problems out ourselves."

Lennon starts a four-game touchline ban against Accies and will be in the stand when the Old Firm next meet in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden on March 20.

Thompson is not so sure it will have believes a calming effect on the fixture.

"It could do," he said. "But who knows what's going to happen in that game?

"There might be a red card in the first five minutes and it could all flare up again. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

"We will be asking our players to keep their heads as they did the other night and I'm sure Walter and Ally will be doing the same.

"I hope it's two teams who try to win the cup in the correct manner."