Celtic manager Neil Lennon is warned not to drop his guard by club legend Davie Hay

  • Text size
  • Send this article to a friend
  • Print this article

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is warned not to drop his guard by club legend Davie Hay

PARKHEAD legend David Hay has reminded Neil Lennon the eyes of the world are upon him – and that he has a responsibility to act accordingly as Celtic manager at all times.

The Hoops boss will have to wait until the end of this week to discover if he will face any charges resulting from his confrontation with ref Euan Norris on the pitch at the end of the Scottish Cup Final defeat to Hearts on Sunday.

The SFA today received the match official's report, and, subject to what it contains, will decide on any action.

Anthony Stokes could also be in trouble for comments made to the referee as they left the field while the striker and team-mate Joe Ledley are also expected to be investigated for comments posted on their Twitter pages.

Compliance Officer Vincent Lunny has written to Lennon to ask for his comments over the posts the Hoops boss placed on his Twitter page on Sunday evening.

Lennon tweeted: "I believe it's personal myself," and Lunny wants clarification to see if there is any criticism of the match officials.

Lennon is already due to face the SFA on Thursday over comments made at the end of the League Cup Final and for an incident with referee Calum Murray at half- time in the recent Old Firm game.

Backed by Celtic, Lennon will vehemently contest all the charges, citing discrepancies in the match officials' versions of events.

It has all served to re-engage the battle the Hoops boss had with the authorities last season.

And today, former Celtic boss Davie Hay – who empathises with the current manager –insisted Lennon must never allow his passion to blind him from the fact he is representing the club at all times.

Hay said: "Even when you feel very, very strongly that your team has been wronged, you have to be conscious of the image you portray."

Hay is disappointed the latest batch of headlines surrounding the boss have overtaken the fact that, just a week earlier, the club regained the SPL title for the first time in four years.

And he hopes Lennon can learn to take a step back and become an even more effective manager.

He said: "I know how hard it is to keep yourself in check, especially when you are as passionate as Neil.

"But it's a very big part of the job, and, if you are to be at your most effective, you have to stay this side of the rules."

Contextual targeting label: 
Sport

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.