Neil Lennon threatens to quit Celtic after altercation with frustrating fan

Lennon threats to leave after Saturday’s 1-0 league defeat at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Neil Lennon sensationally threatened to quit as manager of Glasgow Celtic after a sideline altercation with a fan during Saturday’s 1-0 league defeat at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Lennon lost his cool after the fan questioned his tactics as Celtic lost another league game directly after a big Champions League match.

Lennon remonstrated with angry supporters behind his technical area while a crescendo of boos from many of the frustrated Hoops support greeted his team at the final whistle.

An angry Lennon said afterwards, “They are frustrated. I disagreed with them, I didn’t like what they said about the team.

“Look, if they are not happy with what I am doing and they want me to go, I will.

“If the fans make it clear that they are not happy and they want me out then that’s okay, I will do the honorable thing.

“I can’t repeat it, what the fans said, because it is public arena, but there were a lot of expletives and heavy criticism, which I didn’t think was justified and there was a lack of patience with the team as well.

“If there was a lack of application and commitment I would be the first to criticize the team. I didn’t see that today but I did see a lack of composure and quality in the final third and that’s what cost us.

“If I think it is justified then I don’t have a problem with it but I don’t think it was justified today.

“But they pay their money, they are allowed to say what they like. I’ve got my opinions on it and sometimes I give them as well.

“I am not happy with the league form. It is my team at the end of the day so I take the responsibility for it. It’s not for the lack of trying to find the answers.”

Lennon did admit that his side has to start taking chances in front of goal after a third straight league game without a win.

He added, “I was very disappointed. Our play in the final third wasn’t good enough. If you can’t keep clean sheets and keep missing easy chances you are liable to be beaten.

“With the amount of possession we had, the wastefulness has to be rectified very quickly. I didn’t think we deserved to lose the game but the home form is becoming a concern. It is one point out of nine and that is simply not good enough.”

Defender Charlie Mulgrew doesn’t believe Lennon will carry out his threat to quit despite the derision from the stands.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night’s game against Hearts, Mulgrew said, “I think it is heat of the moment. Maybe they caught him straight after the game or whatever, with tempers running high it is something you say.

“But I don’t think the manager will be leaving, he is right behind the cause here.”

After taking just one point from their last three league games, Mulgrew can understand how the fans feel.

He added, “When things aren’t going right the fans obviously care and it shows in the way they supported us in Barcelona and in different games this season.

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Nster.com