The Hoops boss was handed an immediate three-match touchline ban today for confronting referee Euan Norris after his club's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Hearts last month.

Lennon, who had just served a two-match touchline ban for criticising referee Willie Collum following Celtic's Scottish Communities League Cup final defeat by Kilmarnock at Hampden in March, received a six-match ban in total, but half of the punishment was suspended until the end of next season.

He said: "All I will say is that I got a fair hearing, I think the punishment is pretty fair as well.

"I expected to be punished. I have apologised to the referee in correspondence and he has responded and he is grateful of that and we move on.

"The judicial panel don't want to be punishing people, but when you cross the line I expected to be punished and I have been and I am going to learn from this.

"I will have a suspension hanging over my head and that is a warning for me.

"If I step out of line again I could get three matches plus and I don't want that."

Stokes, one of seven changes to Lennon's side, struck from close range in the 29th minute after strike partner Mo Bangura had caused some confusion in the visitors' defence following a corner.

In injury time Gary Hooper deprived fellow substitute Rabiu Ibrahim of a debut Celtic goal when, with the Nigerian substitute's close-range shot going in, he helped the ball over the line only to be flagged offside.

Lennon could afford a smile when he said: "I am going to fine Gary for that. I think he should pay a goal bonus to the wee man.

"It looked as if it was going in but Gary is Gary, he wants to be leading goalscorer in the country; let's just say it was instinctive.

"I was very pleased. It was another clean sheet, 24, that's a record. It takes us to 90 points with two games to go and that's tremendous consistency after 92 last season."

Lennon confirmed defender Mark Wilson was made captain as a gesture before being let go at end of this season.

He said: "Mark knows he is going to have to move on next season.

"He has been a tremendous servant to Celtic, a great professional, and the only reason he hasn't played as many games this season is that his season has been curtailed by injury.

"We felt it was an opportunity to let him play one more game for the club. As usual he was his consistent self and we wish him well."

When St Johnstone visited Celtic Park last month, boss Steve Lomas complained about three key decisions going against his side in the 2-0 defeat. This time he complained about two.

He said: "I was disappointed with the manner of the goal.

"I didn't think it was a corner at the start and we were told that it was offside.

"I could be proved wrong but whenever the cross came in Bangura helps it on and the guy was offside.

"I thought the referee was very good tonight. He let things go but it is just disappointing again that my boys put so much in and we are talking about key decisions again."