Dougie McDonald left me message but no apology, claims Neil Lennon

McDonald admitted lying to the Celtic manager after reversing a penalty award in the Parkhead side's Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Dundee United at Tannadice last month.

After an investigation into the incident by new Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan, the case was passed on to the referee's committee who handed the official a warning but allowed him to continue with his career.

Lennon claimed that out of "professional respect" he expected an apology from McDonald who came under further pressure on Thursday when Celtic chairman John Reid called for the SFA to sack the official if he did not resign.

McDonald did call Lennon over a week ago, on the day of the game against Hearts at Tynecastle when the Irishman was sent to the stand by referee Craig Thomson for complaining to the fourth official after Celtic had a penalty claim turned down.

Asked if he had received an apology from the referee, Lennon replied: "No, he called me and left a message. Ironically, it was the day of the Hearts game. There has been no contact since. I don't know (if he will call me back], he just left a message."

While Reid made sure that the club's on-going spat with the SFA continued by pressurising them to get rid of McDonald, the former Celtic skipper insists he is not unduly troubled by all the fuss.

"That's not my problem," Lennon said. "I am cracking on with things. I have had a good week's training with the players and I am looking forward to the game. The other stuff will take care of itself eventually."

Lennon is preparing his side for the visit of United which is sure to revive memories of last month's controversial clash on Tayside. After his side lost to a late Gary Hooper goal in their last meeting, United manager Peter Houston had a swipe at Lennon for his enthusiastic celebrations, saying: "Celtic backroom staff celebrated as if they had won the league. I'm going to start running 30 yards down the track when we score a goal. Celtic seem to get away with it."

However, Lennon denied there was any rift between the two men. "Not that I know of," he said. "Emotions run high immediately after games and we all do and say things that maybe we shouldn't and I am as guilty of that as anyone.

"Again I don't think I did much wrong (at Tannadice]. I did apologise for not taking the time to shake Peter's hand after the game. I think that might have upset him more than anything else and I totally understand it."

Lennon claimed to be uninterested in the news that Old Firm rivals Rangers have again been linked with a takeover bid which, if it goes ahead, would reportedly give Ibrox manager Walter Smith several million pounds to spend when the January transfer window opens. He said: "With regards what happens across the road we don't really pay much attention to that at all."