And, as the Celtic manager and his legal team head to Hampden for his latest disciplinary showdown, he also has the full support of his former boss, Martin O'Neill.

"Neil has always been a passionate individual," he said.

"I suppose it all comes down to a matter of personal preference, and whether or not you warm to that or not.

"I always thought he was driven and determined, and he had to put up with a lot when he was a player at the club.

"People's behaviour on the touchline, or wherever, is not always going to necessarily be accepted by everyone. That is life.

"Neil might find as he grows into the job and goes along, that he learns one or two things, but these are decisions that only he could make. All you can be is yourself."

Lennon has already rejected the offer of a two-game ban for comments made following the League Cup Final last month.

He will also vehemently defend the charge he was guilty of misconduct, and acted aggressively and used abusive and insulting language towards match official Calum Murray at half-time in the Old Firm game at Ibrox on March 25.

Compliance officer Vincent Lunny has also asked Lennon to explain his comments regarding the referee before a match against St Johnstone.

But, having responded in writing, he is not expected to face any punishment for this alleged breach of Clause 69 which prohibits comment on any officials before matches.

Busy Lunny will not turn his attention to the referee's report from Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final until Friday at the earliest.

Lennon ran onto the field at the final whistle and confronted referee Euan Norris, who had awarded Hearts a late penalty after the ball struck the hand of Victor Wanyama.

The Celtic manager later posted comments on his Twitter page, as did Joe Ledley and Anthony Stokes, which could see Notices of Complaint issued.

Stokes has already been handed a one-match ban for offensive language towards Norris on Sunday, meaning he will miss the first Celtic's first Scottish Cup game next term.