LENNON’S LIVID

NEIL LENNON slammed referee Kevin Clancy after Celtic’s perfect start was ended in an explosive 1-1 draw at Hibernian.

The frustrated Hoops boss was fuming after his side were denied two penalty shouts.

A Kristoffer Ajer own-goal gave Hibs an eighth-minute lead before Ryan Christie levelled.

But Lennon reckoned his side should have been awarded spot-kicks after challenges on Christie and Moritz Bauer. The manager said: “They were not debatable penalties, they were clear penalties and would have changed the psychology of the game.”

Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom was sent to the stands for kicking a water bottle that hit the fourth official after Christie’s strike.

And he was adamant Celtic’s Olivier Nitcham should also have walked.

Heckingbottom said: “It’s not good enough, we’re not happy about it, no one at our club is happy about it and for me it’s just made a mockery of that game.”

James Tavernier converted two penalties as Rangers moved to within a point of leaders Celtic with a crushing 5-0 defeat of Aberdeen.

Greg Stewart, Alfredo Morales and Jermain Defoe were also on target for Steven Gerrard’s side.

Motherwell moved above Aberdeen into third after Devante Cole’s goal secured a 1-0 win at St Johnstone.