Neil Lennon tells Celtic fans to refrain from Parkhead protests - as social media pics show extent of club's measures

Neil Lennon has told Celtic fans that another protest outside Parkhead on Sunday is not what is needed – as photos circulated on social media showing the lengths the club are going to in order to prevent a repeat of last week’s ugly scenes.

Protests at Celtic Park last week after the defeat to Ross County. Picture: SNS

Hundreds of supporters turned up after the 2-0 home Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County last Sunday to vent their fury at the Celtic boss and the players amid scenes of chaos as police tried to keep order.

The Parkhead club launched an investigation into events and in their statement said of their players, "to require an escort from Celtic Park while being targeted with missiles, is simply unacceptable".

Boss Lennon said a few days later: "I understand the frustrations of the supporters because ultimately we are not in a great run at the minute but it serves no purpose, particularly for the players."

Metal fences have now been erected all the way around the perimeter at the entrance to Celtic Park. Pictures of these extreme measures have been widely shared by fans on social media.

St Johnstone are the latest visitors to Parkhead this Sunday as Lennon’s men look to ensure they don’t fall any further behind rivals Rangers in the league table. The Ibrox side currently have an 11-point advantage, albeit Celtic possess two games in hand.

Asked about the prospect of supporters turning up again this week to express their frustration at how the season is going, Lennon added:

"Well, hopefully they will be celebrating a victory because that is what we will be trying to do. As we always do.

"We have to put in performances that reach the levels we reached last night. I saw plenty of signs last night that we are more than capable of that which please me."

"I touched on what I thought of it on Sunday and if it is going to be reminiscent of Sunday, it is not what we need or what the players need at the minute."

Celtic go into the match off an improved performance in the 4-2 defeat to Milan in the San Siro on Thursday evening.

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