Thompson to fight sacking at Celtic

ALAN THOMPSON and Celtic are squaring up for a legal battle over his sudden dismissal.

The man Neil Lennon sacked in a telephone call on Sunday confirmed to Record Sport last night that the next time he sees Celtic will be in court, unless a settlement can be reached.

When contacted at his Newcastle home, the axed first-team coach said: “I don’t want to say anything at the moment. I’ll leave it in the hands of my legal people.”

Thompson has hired Bridge Litigation and the case will be handled by Margaret Gribben, an employment law expert who works closely with PFA Scotland.

But a company spokesman refused to discuss Thompson’s case while matters were at a delicate stage.

Celtic, meanwhile, issued a statement that claimed Thompson had to be sacked in a telephone call because he refused to meet manager Lennon face to face.

They said: “A meeting was set up between Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson on Sunday in Newcastle.

“But Alan refused to meet with Neil, hence the reason for the discussion being conducted by telephone.

“The matter is now in the hands of lawyers.”

Thompson has the option of going for unfair dismissal or could settle for payment in full of the 12-month rolling contract he has worked under since joining Lennon’s backroom staff in 2010.

Former Celtic striker Andy Walker last night expressed his surprise over Thompson’s sudden departure.

He said: “It has come as a shock to most people and I don’t know if it was a board decision or taken by Neil.”