Neil Lennon to reveal thoughts on touchline ban

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is set to express his anger at the three-match touchline ban which was last night handed out to him by the Scottish Football Association as he holds his weekly press conference today.

Neil Lennon. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

The Hoops boss was found guilty yesterday of using offensive language towards Saints skipper Jim Goodwin during a match at St Mirren Park on March 31.

No sanction was issued for the breach of disciplinary rule 203 but a suspended three-game ban from last season was triggered.

On his official Twitter account last night, Lennon said: “Really looking forward to my press conference tomorrow.”

The former Celtic skipper has five working days to appeal but if he does not do it before Sunday’s potential Clydesdale Bank Premier League title winning game at home to Inverness, then he will watch it from the stand.

Last night, Celtic released a statement which described the SFA’s disciplinary system as “absurd.”

The statement read: “Clearly we are extremely surprised and disappointed by today’s decision.

‘Absurd’

“Fundamentally the particular disciplinary system in place is absurd - a system where such a case can be brought on the strength of two complaints from people totally unconnected to the match in question, while a fourth official overseeing the technical area during the match makes no mention of any incident to the SFA.

“Despite even supportive comments from numerous individuals including Jim Goodwin himself, this judgement has been made, something which we find quite astonishing.

“It is clear that this decision will have huge repercussions for the game in Scotland and we are sure Hampden Stadium will be a very busy place now every Monday morning.”

Lennon was suspended for three matches in May 2012, having been found guilty of breaching three rules after rushing on to the pitch at full-time following the Hoops’ William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts at Hampden to confront referee Euan Norris.

He also received an additional suspended three-match ban which was to come into effect if any act of misconduct was committed by him before the end of this season.