Lennon is keeping closed doors issue in perspective

Celtic boss Neil Lennon described the prospect of playing games behind closed doors to help prevent further spread of coronavirus as “not ideal”, but accepts the big picture of fixtures being fulfilled.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has warned an outbreak of the virus at even one club could make finishing the season “very difficult”.

As of yesterday morning 11 people had tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland, with the UK figure standing at 163.

The possibility of matches taking place at empty stadiums was flagged up as the football authorities consider what options might be available.

“It’s not ideal but they have had to do it in Italy,” said Lennon, voted Ladbrokes Premiership manager of the month for February.

“It’s not ideal.

“I don’t know the financial situations of other clubs but I would say it would be very detrimental to the financial wellbeing.

“I think we are maybe getting a little bit too far ahead of ourselves at the minute and we will have to take it week by week.”

Lennon, whose side face St Mirren today, is having daily briefings on potential problems with the virus.

The Northern Irishman said: “There are executive meetings every morning and medical staff are briefed every morning on what shouldn’t happen.

“We’ve been told not to shake hands with people or stop for selfies or photographs.”

Lennon’s award came off the back of five league wins out of five last month which helped the Hoops stretch away from Rangers at the top of the table.

Celtic, unbeaten domestically in 2020, are 13 points clear of their Old Firm rivals having played a game more.

Jim Goodwin’s St Mirren are 10th in the standings on 26 points, having lost just three times – against Celtic, Rangers and Livingston – in their last 12 league games.

Lennon said: “Jim has improved them but we are concentrating on our own run.”