Lennon anger at firework thrown by Celtic supporters
● Lennon says fireworks put everyone at risk after fans throw flashbang on to pitch
Neil Lennon has warned Celtic fans that throwing flashbangs onto the pitch is putting everyone at risk of harm, including their club’s own players.
The manager was angered that another controversial incident served to deflect the attention from Celtic moving to within two wins of the title after last night’s 2-0 win over St Mirren.
They could win the league as soon as this weekend if they beat Livingston and Rangers fall to defeat the following day against Motherwell.
But the main topic after the win at the Simple Digital Arena last night was another episode of fan misbehaviour. A flashbang thrown from the Celtic fans after Ryan Christie put his side two in front saw the game held up for several minutes. St Mirren keeper Vaclav Hladky was understandably alarmed by the noise behind him. St Mirren manager Oran Kearney, who had already used all his substitutes, feared Hladky might be unable to continue.
Christie was also seen to jump as he made his way back up the park after celebrating.
“It serves no purpose in a football ground,” said Lennon, pictured. “I don’t see the motivation for anyone to bring a flash bang or pyrotechnic into a stadium. the health and safety of the players is paramount.
“It didn’t just spook the St Mirren keeper, but some of our players, too. Ryan was also spooked and the goalie could have burst an ear drum. It delays the game when we have scored a goal and want to get going again. It serves no purpose whatsoever.
“Why does an individual want to bring that to a game? It doesn’t impress anyone, it doesn’t add anything.
“It just damages people – and it could have damaged a player. It damages the reputation of the good fans we have and we just don’t want it. ”
Kearney was also alarmed by the incident and was concerned for Hladky’s welfare. “I had a brief chat with him but we’re just thankful that it wasn’t more sinister,” he said. “I thought he might have to come off, which isn’t ideal. We’ll check him out in the morning. We’d used all our substitutes by then and it’s crazy to think we might have had to use an outfield player in goal as a result of that. You’re tempted to walk your team off the pitch.”
Lennon praised his players for keeping their focus as they close in on the title. He was particularly pleased to be able to call on Christie for the first time since he returned as manager. The midfielder has been out for five weeks with a hamstring injury. “Ryan brings a lot to the team,” he said. “There was spark, creativity and a bit pizzaz. He makes things happen and his enthusiasm gave us a big lift.”
Olivier Ntcham will have fonder memories of grounds. He missed a penalty last night having been sent off in the first-half of a 0-0 draw at St Mirren’s Simple Digital Arena earlier this season.
Neither episode inflicted lasting damage. Celtic are now just two wins away from an eighth successive title. Indeed, they could lift it as soon as Sunday providing they dispose of Livingston on Saturday and Rangers lose to Motherwell the following day.
The greatest threat to their ambitions could be said to be some of their own fans. A flashbang thrown on to the pitch from the away end after substitute Ryan Christie secured the points five minutes from time saw St Mirren goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky, who saved Ntcham’s penalty, require some treatment. He seemed understandably distressed and shocked.
Fortunately for everyone concerned, he was able to resume but this was another incident to blight a season where there have been too many such controversies, off the park and on it.
Neil Lennon will reflect on a serviceable display against a much-changedstmirrenside with bigger battles left to face. The Tannoy announcement that Dundee had lost 2-0 to St Johnstone got one of the biggest cheers of the night from the home fans.
The hosts remained contenders for a point until deep into the second-half. Manager Oran Kearney sensed this. He sent on Brad Lyons, who played a main part in Saturday’s crucial victory over Dundee, and then Simeon Jackson, the club’s top scorer this season. Duckens Nazon should have equalised after a quick free-kick while Scott Bain tipped Cody Cooke’s effort round the post.
Celtic also turned to the cavalry. Christie replaced Ntcham, pictured, with just under half an hour to go for his first appearance under Lennon after five weeks out injured. Odsonne Edouardreplacedmatchwinner Weah with just under 15 minutes left and likewise helped Celtic to another level.
Kearney had made six changes to the side that secured the vital weekend win in the hope the squad had sufficient strength in depth to cope with the champions-elect. Another six pointer against Hamilton Accies looms on Saturday.
Lennon, by contrast, made just three changes, which he attributed to weariness following the exertions of Sunday’s Old Firm clash. Oliver Burke was one of them, coming in for Edouard. Timo Weah was another, in for Jonny Hayes, and he got Celtic underway with a contentious goal after 15 minutes.
James Forrest played in Lustig and, while his shot was saved by the onrushing Hladky, the ball spun up into the air. Weah was the first to react and headed the ball towards goal. It hit the bar and came down before coming back into play again but referee Don Robertson awarded the goal, on the advice of his far side assistant Graham Mcneillie.
The goal was the least they deserved but the visitors were guilty of some sloppiness in front of goal. Kristoffer Ajer should have burst the net rather than blaze high over after Lustig found him in space and with time to boot after an astute through ball. At least he has the excuse he is a defender. Burke started through the middle like an old-fashioned centre forward but, while he caught the eye with his pace, he struggled to provide the finishing product. Callum Mcgregor’s ball left him with ample time to pick his spot but he slashed his shot wide shortly after Celtic went in front.
But the chance of the opening half fell to Ntcham, who really did have all the time and space any footballer should require to score. Jim Kellermann was desperate to impress in what was his first start for the club despite having signed for Jack Ross as many as three managers ago. His last start was while on loan for Fylde against Dover in December. So it was unfortunate indeed that he should be the one penalised for a harsh handball offence when the ball struck his arm as he attempted to clear.
Ntcham took the award and hit the ball too close to goalkeeper Hladky, who managed to block. The ball rebounded to Ntcham and he compounded things by hitting a shot just over but when under greater pressure this time.
Burke started the second half as he did the first – by failing to find the finish required. Another Mcgregor through
ball saw him one on one with Hladky but the keeper did well to save with his feet.
But St Mirren were far from out of the picture. Indeed, they could and should have drawn level when Mihai Popescu played a quick free-kick through to Nazon, who dithered when trying to round Scott Bain and was eventually crowded out. Bain had earlier tipped Cooke’s effort round the post.
Christie almost scored with his first touch after replacing Ntcham shortly after the hour mark but saw his effort blocked by Hladky. He took just a few minutes more to make his mark in what was an energetic cameo, scoring via a deflection after a drive into the box. ST MIRREN: Hladky, Baird, Ferdinand, Popescu, Corbu, Stephen Mcginn (Lyons 64), Macpherson, Muzek, Kellermann (Paul Mcginn 76), Cooke, Nazon (Jackson 71). Subs not used: Mcallister, Holmes, Dreyer, Mullen.
CELTIC: Bain, Lustig (Benkovic 70), Simunovic, Ajer,izaguirre, Brown, Ntcham (Christie 63), Forrest, Mcgregor, Weah (Edouard 78), Burke. Subs not used: Toljan, Sinclair, Rogic, De Vries.