Neil Lennon set for Lierse talks over Tony Watt

NEIL Lennon is set to quiz Lierse boss Stanley Menzo over the ongoing Tony Watt saga - with the Celtic boss wanting answers over claims that Watt was slapped by Menzo prior to a match.

Back in November 2012, Tony Watt celebrates scoring the winner against Barcelona at Parkhead. Picture: Robert Perry

The Sun are reporting that Lennon is becoming more and more concerned with the situation in Belgium, after a number of reported bust-ups between the young striker and Menzo.

The former Airdrie striker has been sent home from training on two occasions - once following an argument over Menzo’s plans to play him on the wing, and a second time for ‘refusing to comply with instructions’, and was branded lazy and unfit towards the start of his turbulent loan spell.

And Watt was demoted to the club’s B team until further notice after the club took exception to comments he made in a newspaper interview, in which he claimed that he was the club scapegoat, and was blamed for any loss regardless.

The latest claim that Menzo - a former Ajax defender - struck Watt before a match with Kortrijk will no doubt be a cause for concern in the east end of Glasgow.

Watt said: “I held out my hand without looking - as he usually does to me - and he gave me a slap on the face. I said ‘what is this?’ and he told me to look at him when I shook his hand.”

Lennon declined to recall Watt in January, but could reverse that decision this week if he sees fit.

Watt has been in good form for the Belgian side, who currently lie 11th in the Jupiler Pro League.

The striker has scored nine goals in 17 games for Lierse.