Lenny abused every day, says agent

NEIL LENNON is subjected to sectarian abuse every day in Scotland because he’s an Irish Catholic who played for Celtic, his agent has claimed. Martin Reilly called for action after the Hibernian head coach was hit with a coin during Wednesday’s Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle.

Lennon was previously assaulted in the technical area at the same ground while managing Celtic in 2011 and – in just some of the other attacks he has been subjected to – has been knocked unconscious in the street and sent viable parcel bombs.

Reilly told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “These things have been going on since he came into Celtic in 2000. He made his debut at Dens Park and basically nobody really knew who he was then. He was targeted from the first kick of the ball at Dens Park. And we’re in 2018 and it’s still going on.”

The agent could not believe former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell’s claim that Lennon “brings a lot of it on himself”. Seconds before the pound coin was thrown, the 47-yearold gestured to Hearts fans to calm down after their team had a goal disallowed.

“For him to come out with that statement, basically saying that he brings it on himself, for me is just absolute nonsense,” Reilly said. “He doesn’t bring it on himself, he reacts to things that are given to him. If he gets abused for 90 minutes, are you trying to say that he can’t turn round and cup his ears, or do an aeroplane? Is that really that bad?

It’s basically banter.”