Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
No more fan protests urges Celtic manager
NEIL Lennon has told Celtic fans that another protest outside Parkhead tomorrow is not what is needed as the Hoops look to get back to winning ways.
Hundreds of supporters turned up after the 2-0 home Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County last weekend to vent their fury at the Celtic boss and the players amid scenes of chaos as police tried to keep order.
The Parkhead club launched an investigation into events and in their statement said of their players, “to require an escort from Celtic Park while being targeted with missiles, is simply unacceptable”.
Boss Lennon said a few days later: “I understand the frustrations of the supporters because ultimately we are not in a great run at the minute but it serves no purpose, particularly for the players.”
After losing 4-2 to Serie A leaders AC Milan in their Europa League dead rubber in the San Siro on Thursday night to leave the Scottish champions with just two wins in 11 matches in all competitions, the Northern Irishman turns his attention to the Premiership.
St Johnstone are the visitors for another game played in front of no fans and Lennon will be looking for his side to keep on the tail of Rangers who have an 11-point lead at the top of the table, albeit the Hoops have two games in hand.
Asked about the prospect of supporters turning up again this week to express their frustration at how the season is going, he said: “Well, hopefully they will be celebrating a victory because that is what we will be trying to do. As we always do.
“I touched on what I thought of it on Sunday and if it is going to be reminiscent of (last) Sunday, it is not what we need or what the players need at the minute.”
A busy December sees Celtic play home league games against St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Dundee United, as well as a trip to Hamilton, and there is also the final Europa League group game against French side Lille and the William Hill Scottish Cup Final against Hearts at Hampden Park.
Lennon believes that regardless of venue Celtic need to find a winning formula quickly and he took encouragement from their performance in Italy.
The former Celtic captain, in his second spell as manager of the Parkhead club, said: “Home or away, it doesn’t matter.
“We have to put in performances that reach the levels we reached last night.
“I saw plenty of signs last night that we are more than capable of that which please me.”
Meanwhile, Hibernian head coach Jack Ross has accused the Scottish Professional Football League of providing “weak” reasoning for moving his side’s trip to Celtic Park.
Ross was “surprised” to discover his side’s trip to Parkhead had been moved from a Saturday afternoon to January 11, a Monday night, after Hibs had rejected Celtic’s request, which was made to enable them to go on a warm-weather training camp.
Ross said: “Celtic were well within their rights to request a fixture change. The SPFL’s reasoning and explanation is weak but I disagree with that.
“There’s nothing we can do but I don’t think it was handled properly.
“I don’t think it’s ever been as easy to request a fixture change and for the SPFL to be so accommodating.”