Johan Mjallby: ‘frustration’ lies behind Neil Lennon’s outbursts

JOHAN Mjallby believes Neil Lennon is doing a great job for Celtic and claims simple frustration has led to the Parkhead manager’s recent conflict with officials.

Lennon will start a two-match touchline ban against Motherwell at Fir Park tomorrow for criticising referee Willie Collum following the Scottish Communities League Cup final defeat by Kilmarnock last month.

There was, however, no further punishment imposed on him for being sent to the stand by Calum Murray during the 3-2 defeat by Rangers the following week. That said, Lennon will be in trouble for running onto the pitch to confront referee Euan Norris following last Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Hearts.

The former Celtic skipper, who has also still to explain to the SFA comments made about referees before the SPL game against St Johnstone at the start of the month, will be in more hot water following remarks he made on his Twitter account after the Hearts game.

He tweeted: “Referee told players he thought (Victor) Wanyama handled...feel so sorry for players and fans..I think it’s personal myself.”

Lennon later re-tweeted a comment from Celtic supporter @DazDiCanio which suggested the club: “pack our bags and get out of this league that is run by crooked SFA officials”.

The Celtic boss, widely criticised this week for his behaviour, did not appear at the club’s weekly press conference, his place taken by assistant Mjallby.

Asked if Lennon should change his conduct, the big Swede retorted: “No. I think he is doing a great job for the club.

“It is not my place to speak for Neil but I don’t really have a problem with officials. You are entitled to react as a manager because it is his job to protect the team and the players.

“There is always a danger of saying something about what you are not too happy about straight after games. A lot of times what Neil has been doing or saying has been blown out of proportion as well. I think he will calm down in the future, you have to remember, he has not been in the job too long.

“A lot of managers who have been in the job for a long time were a bit more aggressive, a bit more passionate at the start of their career but then they mellow down a bit.”

Mjallby believes Lennon was “vindicated” by his decision to challenge the SFA over his sending off at Ibrox. There was no further punishment from an SFA judicial panel at yesterday’s hearing, despite the Celtic manager accepting a misconduct charge after clashing with fourth official Iain Brines. However, it is understood that the SFA did not pursue accusations of insulting and abusive language during discussions with Brines and Murray in the referee’s room at half-time.

Mjallby said: “It was a private hearing and we are not going to discuss it but the verdict is there. Neil was vindicated by the decision from the SFA in that he didn’t get any suspension from that game. I was extremely surprised at the time that he was sent to the stand, I was surprised that he was not allowed to do his job in the second half.

“I don’t really know why, I think it was because he acted in an aggressive manner.

“But it was a fair hearing and we are happy with the outcome when it comes to what happened in the Old Firm game. But we are disappointed that our manager is not able to do his job for two games.”