SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE:STRATHCLYDE police have opened an investigation into Wednesday night's Old Firm derby after complaints made by the public against the Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, regarding alleged abuse of the Rangers striker El Hadji Diouf.
The Scottish Cup replay at Celtic Park proved notable after three red cards for Rangers players and a touchline bust-up between Lennon and McCoist, the visiting club’s assistant manager.
The police have now received a series of complaints about Lennon, believed to relate to allegations of abuse towards Diouf in what was a separate touchline clash, and are looking into them.
A Strathclyde police spokesman said: “We have received complaints from members of the public regarding allegations surrounding events during the Old Firm match on Wednesday March 2nd, 2011, which we are currently investigating.”
Celtic remain fully behind their manager. Lennons lawyer, Paul McBride QC, said: “These allegations are defamatory and outrageous with no substance whatsoever. This is a concerted campaign by malicious and despicable individuals to cause distress to Neil Lennon. Celtic Football Club and Celtic fans stand by their manager in the face of these vicious and unacceptable attacks.”
A suspicious package addressed to Lennon was intercepted at a Royal Mail sorting office on Friday. Security around the Celtic manager has been increased amid a series of incidents, which include another parcel – which contained bullets – being sent to him and late night, threatening phone calls.
Johan Mjallby expects Neil Lennon to stay at Parkhead “for the long run” despite current speculation about the Celtic manager’s future. The build-up to the home clash with Hamilton – where Kris Commons scored twice in a 2-0 win – centred on Lennon following the incidents during and after the Old Firm clash.
Lennon, who began a four-match touchline ban against Hamilton, left pre and post-match media duties to assistant Mjallby, who was more optimistic.
“He hasn’t told me that he has had enough,” he said. “He is a strong character. He is in this job for the long run. He can certainly take the pressure so I would be very surprised if that happened. He is upbeat, in a good state of mind and fairly happy. After Wednesday’s game all we did was concentrate on this game and he is very good at that. All the other stuff behind the scenes is unacceptable. I know he is probably used to it but it shouldn’t happen anyway.”
Yesterday Kyle Bartley opened his goalscoring account for Rangers as they claimed all three points against St Mirren. The on-loan Arsenal defender grabbed what proved to be the only goal of the game in the first half, with the win allowing Rangers to move back to within five points of leaders Celtic.
