LENNON NEVER CONSIDERED LEAVING HIS SQUAD
Celtic boss Neil Lennon says he never considered leaving the club, despite the threats to him and his family.
Lennon was speaking at a media conference for the first time since early March, after a dugout ban.
“It puts a slight strain at home at times, but not overriding,” said the Northern Irishman.
“I love the job, my family know how important it is to me, and they’ve been fully supportive throughout all of this.”
Bullets had been addressed to the 39-year-old, and threats had appeared on the social networking site Facebook.
Lennon had not spoken before or after a match since before the controversial Scottish Cup fifth-round replay victory over Rangers at on 2 March.
“I’m glad the ban is over. I’m back doing what I want to do and it encompasses all aspects of the job again.”
At the end of that match he and opposing assistant manager Ally McCoist had to be separated at the full-time whistle.
The Parkhead boss was subsequently handed an additional four-match touchline ban by the Scottish Football Association. That accompanied a pre-existing four-match sanction for being sent to the stand at Tynecastle earlier in the season. However, Celtic successfully challenged the Scottish Football Association’s regulations regarding suspensions for managers and the punishments ran concurrently, meaning Lennon missed five matches rather than eight.
“I’m glad the ban’s over. It means I can back to doing what I want to do, and it encompasses all aspect of the job again,” he said.
“I hope there is a positive reaction from the players but they have played quite well in the period I have been out.
“We have a big game tomorrow night and we are looking forward to it.”
He also claims he felt the benefit from the self-imposed media ban.
“There was a lot of adverse publicity which was taking the shine away from the team and their performances and focus,” said Lennon “So I just decided to have a break – I feel fine.”
Lennon will make a return to the Celtic dugout for tonight’s (Tuesday) 6PM kick-off away to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League
(bbcsport.co.uk)
