LENNY DOES NOT BRING IT ON HIMSELF
nobody knew who he was then. He was targeted from the first kick of the ball. It’s been going on since... we’re now in 2018, nearly 2019 and it’s still going on.
“How does he bring it on that night? Is it because he’s got blond hair? Because he’s a £6million transfer?
“He brings it on because he’s Irish, he’s Catholic, he played for Northern Ireland and he signed for Celtic.”
Lennon has a disturbing history of being a target for abuse and violence since moving to Celtic in 2000.
Packages with bombs and bullets, addressed to Lennon and fellow Celtic and Northern Ireland colleague Niall Mcginn, were intercepted by the Royal Mail in 2011.
Later that year he was attacked in the dugout by a Hearts fan (right) and after this week’s Gorgie drama, graffiti that read “hang Neil Lennon” was discovered on a wall in Edinburgh.
Some accused the 47-year-old of winding up the Jambos support with former Tynecastle and Republic of Ireland striker Stephen Elliott branding his behaviour “idiotic and immature”.
Reilly said: “To come out with that, basically saying that he brings it on himself, is just absolute nonsense.
“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 he can’t turn and cup his ears? Is that really that bad? It’s basically banter. Outside football he’s sectarian abused every single day.”
Aberdeen boss Derek Mcinnes also defended his rival. He said: “To say that Lenny brings it upon himself is every bit as poor and crass a comment you can imagine.”