The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Most fans fantastic: Lennon
NEIL LENNON admits the suspension of unruly Celtic supporters was inevitable following the trouble at Friday night’s Scottish Premiership game against Motherwell at Fir Park but offered a robust defence of the Hoops support as a whole.
The Parkhead boss was speaking ahead of the final Champions League fixture against Barcelona at the Nou Camp tonight which has been, in part, overshadowed by off-field issues involving some Hoops fans.
Celtic suspended 128 fans from their games and relocated 250 season-ticket holders following damage to seats at the stadium.
Smoke bombs and flares were also thrown during their 5-0 win against Well, which followed a 7-0 drubbing of Hearts, while the Scottish Professional Football League described the scenes at Fir Park as “shameful” and promised an investigation.
Political banners displayed at Celtic’s Champions League game against AC Milan last month have led to the club being called to a disciplinary hearing by Uefa but Lennon tried to put it all in context.
“I think there was an air of inevitability about it (action taken by the club) and they have dealt with it as quickly and decisively and the best way they think,” he said.
“It just put a negative on it (the two good results).
“We have had a few problems of late which the club are trying to deal with as swiftly and as best they can but that is not going to take away from the fantastic support we have — not just in Britain but around the world — and the great relationships our supporters forge with other clubs and the respect both sets of supporters have for each other here (in Barcelona).”
Emilio Izaguirre picked up his third booking against AC Milan in the last Group H fixture and will miss the game but Lennon welcomes back right- back Adam Matthews, who is contention after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Skipper Scott Brown returns after missing the last three European games through suspension, following a clash with Barca star Neymar at Parkhead in October.
The Hoops boss said after the 1-0 defeat in Glasgow: “I don’t think Neymar does himself any favours by the way he behaves at times.”
Lennon stood by his comments ahead of the rematch although he was liberal in his praise of the Barca star.
He said: “It was the first time I saw Neymar play live and I was very impressed and I think he will be a wonderful addition to the Barcelona team.
“I think he is very talented but I stand by what I said on the evening, I did think he made more of the contact than necessary.
“However, Scott knows that he is in the wrong and he has served his punishment and I think he is looking very much forward to playing tomorrow.”