SOCCER:CELTIC MANAGER Neil Lennon claims there is nothing wrong with on-field clashes of personality during Old Firm games as Scott Brown and El-Hadji Diouf prepare to lock horns again.
Celtic captain Brown and Rangers forward Diouf traded insults during and for several days after the 2-2 Scottish FA Cup draw at Ibrox earlier this month.
Brown received a yellow card for celebrating in Diouf’s face after netting Celtic’s second equaliser but went on to describe it as “the best booking I have ever had”.
The Senegalese player faces a hostile reception at Parkhead on Sunday having spat on a Celtic fan while playing there for Liverpool in a Uefa Cup tie in 2003 – a crime that earned him a €5,900 fine at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Lennon was keen to play down the feud between the two players ahead of the Premier League clash, but he has no problem with a healthy on-field rivalry.
“Every Old Firm game is different,” Lennon said. “Both teams have their own personalities and sometimes it can get a bit feisty but there is nothing wrong with that, as long as it doesn’t spill into something outrageous.
“Basically you want to keep 11 players on the pitch. Each game has its own personalities. It might be two different players you are talking about after Sunday’s game.”
The former Celtic skipper was involved in some midfield battles of his own with Rangers players, particularly Barry Ferguson and Fernando Ricksen. “It was more banter than anything else,” he said. “Me and Fergie used to have words, and Ricksen. He was always good to have a wind-up with. But I wouldn’t tell you what I said to him and vice-versa.”
Lennon felt there was nothing wrong with Brown’s celebration at Ibrox and sidestepped a question over whether he would have a problem if a Rangers player followed suit on Sunday. “Listen, I would have a problem if a Rangers player scored – full stop,” he said.
Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew agreed with his manager over the on-field squabbling. “It helps the atmosphere of the game – there is no harm in it,” Mulgrew said. “What happened with Scott and El-Hadji Diouf was just part of the game. It didn’t boil over. So as long as it’s kept to that level, it’s fine. I think maybe more people looked at it because it was El-Hadji Diouf and they were expecting something to happen, but it happens in a lot of games and as long as it doesn’t boil over it’s fine.”
Celtic go into the match as favourites after winning at Ibrox in January to reignite their title challenge, and then forcing a cup replay despite having goalkeeper Fraser Forster sent off. But Lennon said: “I think it’s too tough to call. The form we have shown has been pretty consistent but you can’t call an Old Firm game and this one is no different.”
Nevertheless, Lennon feels more confident about his squad than he did when Rangers won 3-1 at Parkhead in the first of seven Old Firm games this term. “The first game they didn’t do themselves justice, it probably took a bit to familiarise themselves with the fixture and occasion,” he said. “But certainly in the last two games they have shown a lot of character and bravery.”
Lennon’s options have been boosted by the return to training of James Forrest following a hamstring injury, while Thomas Rogne has trained all week following a calf problem.
