“Jury decision was worse than bullets, bombs & threats”

Jury decision to clear Tynecastle attacker affected Neil Lennon more than bullets, bombs & threats, reveals Peter Lawwell

PETER LAWWELL has claimed the decision to clear Neil Lennon’s Tynecastle attacker of assault affected the manager more than the bullets, bombs and death threats he received last season.

Celtic’s chief executive revealed he has sent the manager away to clear his head after an Edinburgh jury found the case against Lennon’s assailant not proven on Wednesday.

But Lawwell insists Lennon will not quit despite the legal shock coming on top of last season’s horrifying incidents.

He said: “Neil’s a strong boy and he will bounce back from what happened in court in the same way he has recovered from everything else.

“I don’t ever see him saying he’s had enough and going from Celtic.

“But the jury’s verdict has affected him as badly as the death threats, the suspicious packages and the bullets that came last season.

“In general terms Neil’s good at getting over these things but what happened at Tynecastle unnerved him. And the jury’s verdict didn’t help.

“All he wants is to get on with his job.”

Lawwell also stated Lennon will brave the dugout again when Celtic go to Tynecastle rather than sit in the stand.

He added: “We’re sure Hearts will put appropriate measures in place for our next visit there.”