Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Lennon will not ear one word of it..

- BY RONNIE ESPLIN

NEIL LENNON insists he has no concerns about his celebratio­ns after Hibernian’s leveller in the 3-2 Premiershi­p win over Rangers at Ibrox.

The Lurgan man was back at the ground for the first time since 2012 when, as Celtic manager, he watched from the media room having been banned from the dugout for the second half by referee Calum Murray.

When Simon Murray cancelled out an early opener from Gers striker Alfredo Morelos in the 20th minute, the Hibs boss turned to the main stand, cupped his ears and made a gesture.

In a feisty game, Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack was shown a straight red card by referee John Beaton in the 35th minute following a melee and Hibs took the lead soon after with a James Tavernier own goal.

Midfielder Vykintas Slivka drove in a third in the 65th minute before Tavernier reduced the deficit with a header.

When it was suggested that Rangers assistant manager Helder Baptista had spoken to the police about Lennon, the Hibs boss replied: “He should have got back in his box.

“Funny enough he didn’t (have something to say to me).

“I don’t know what he was saying, I assume he was unhappy about something

“I didn’t make a gesture, I celebrated a goal. If they are unhappy about it they can come and tell me.

“But I shouldn’t get into trouble for doing that.

“I am celebratin­g a goal. What way are you supposed to celebrate a goal?

“If I pick my nose someone will find something to criticise me for, I am celebratin­g a goal.

“You are looking for things that aren’t there.”

Gers boss Pedro Caixinha (inset) seemed to suggest Lennon and his assistant Garry Parker were treated differentl­y by fourth official Euan Anderson at the side of the pitch.

He said: “I am not talking about influence, I am talking about having the same treatment.

“If the opponents are allowed to have two coaches in the technical area, we are also allowed to have it.

“If I listen to what I listened to today, with the other manager getting to the fourth official the way he did, that allows me to go the same way but I don’t have the same principles.”

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 ??  ?? HAPPY: Neil Lennon at Ibrox yesterday
HAPPY: Neil Lennon at Ibrox yesterday

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