Stuart Bathgate: Lennon ban could set poor precedent

The Celtic manager himself – whose suspended ban from last season was activated as a result of the supposed offence – has understandably suggested that he will now report any fellow-coach he hears swearing during a game.

This, Lennon believes, will highlight the absurdity of the judgement, as well as ensuring he is not the only one to be brought to book for what some BBC commentators like to call “industrial language”.

Fair enough. There is no justification for singling Lennon out, and if this decision sets a precedent it will result in empty technical areas.

But there is a point which is in danger of being lost here. Namely, why on earth should coaches feel entitled to have a pop at opposition players in any case?

It really doesn’t matter whether Lennon called St Mirren captain Jim Goodwin a f***ing fanny or a silly sausage – although merely hearing the Celtic boss utter the latter phrase would be sure to provoke a few laughs. The fact is, there’s no reason why the manager should have any sort of conversation with an opposing player while a game is going on.

We need to be sensible about this and not apply a non-contact rule too literally. If a player comes off the pitch and falls down in the technical area, for example, no coach should be disciplined for asking after his health.

But in general, there can be no justification in a coach’s winding up a member of the opposing team. Players can do that perfectly well to each other, and fans are entitled to play their part too, within decent limits, of course.

But coaches, no matter how involved they may feel, are non-combatants. They should confine their outbursts, whether ‘industrial’ expletives are included or not, to their own players.

Or is that simply far too sporting an attitude to expect of anyone within the benighted world of Scottish football?