NEIL LENNON today appealed to SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny to meet face-to-face with SPL managers.

The Celtic boss made his appeal to Lunny in the week that two more top-flight gaffers landed in hot water with the governing body.

Steve Lomas of St Johnstone has been banned from the dugout for EIGHT games after a touchline altercation with an assistant at Parkhead last month.

And Kilmarnock gaffer Kenny Shiels has been ordered to appear before the authorities to explain comments he made after his side's defeat to Inverness Caley Thistle last month.

Lennon, who has a three-match ban hanging over his head from last season, feels for his fellow Northern Irishmen.

He believes there should be more communication between managers, referees and the SFA – and has urged Lunny to hold talks with SPL gaffers.

Lennon said: "I certainly have sympathy for them (Lomas and Shiels). Steve's got a heavy ban and it's not a good place to be. I've been there myself.

"I do think at times it's a bit over the top and I agree with Kenny that sometimes we get treated condescendingly because it's a pressure job at times.

"I do think the relationship between officials and managers can be better.

"I have spoken to a few managers in the past on this issue and they just don't seem to have a relationship with them at all.

"They just wipe their hands of them and don't bother having any communication with officials now. That's their way of dealing with it.

"I've taken a huge backward step as well – although I do still have a relationship with officials where I can."

Lennon added: "Referees have visited clubs in the past, but the one person who should really come and speak to the managers is Vincent Lunny.

"We need to find out what we can and cannot say, to officials and in the press. What is deemed to be punishable and what is not.

"I think there has to be certain guidelines for managers, especially when we're doing post-match interviews when we are asked about a refereeing performance.

"We just want an understanding, particularly of controversial or debatable decisions.

"If Vincent is the one who's applying the law when we go to these tribunals then he should be the one coming out and having a meeting with every manager to say, 'This is what you can say and this is what you can't say'."

Lunny has met with coaches and managers in the past and spoke to the Club and Managers' Association in April.