Neil Lennon opts against Joe Ledley appeal

• "Tempers, tantrums, the same regurgitated rubbish I got as a player, I'm getting as a manager, by the same people" Picture: SNS

The Celtic manager, who earlier described referee Craig Thomson's decision to show Ledley a straight red card for his challenge on Ian Black during the 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle as "scandalous", yesterday declined to engage in any fresh discussion with the media on his club's current issues with match officials. In a noticeably testy mood, Lennon told reporters: "Look, I said what I said. Don't ask me any more about Wednesday night. Don't ask me any more about referees and don't ask me about poppies either."

Welsh midfielder Ledley will now miss the Remembrance Sunday visit to face St Mirren as he serves an automatic one-match ban.

Asked if he had chosen not to contest the sending-off because he had changed his view of it after watching it again, or because he felt an appeal would be futile, Lennon replied: "Probably the latter."

Lennon, who was sent to the stand at Tynecastle on the advice of fourth official Steven McLean, is still considering whether to appeal the automatic two-match touchline ban which will be imposed on him by the SFA. He will make a decision after reading Thomson's match report.

• Neil Lennon determined to erase painful Paisley pattern

But he has robustly defended himself against criticism of his touchline conduct.

"I've been hearing this for ten years," said Lennon. "Tempers, tantrums, the same regurgitated rubbish I got as a player, I'm getting as a manager, by the same people. People can interpret it any way they want. I don't think I behave any differently from other managers.

"I don't know why (I get criticised], you would need to ask the people who make an issue of it.

"It just seems my behaviour gets exaggerated, maybe because of who I am and who I manage. You can never get caught up too much in the emotions of the game.

"You play it as you see it. I've seen other managers watch from the stands, that's their choice and might be something I will do down the line. I might have to."

Georgios Samaras insists the Celtic players pay no attention to critics who feel Lennon's passion for the Parkhead club is running dangerously high.

The Greek striker said: "He was at the club for ten years and was the same as a player as he is a manager.

"Why they criticise him and who (they are], we don't care. We care what is going on here in the training ground, that is the most important thing.

"If you have a good relationship with the manager then you don't care what's going on outside. He knows the club really, really well.

"He knows exactly what the club and the supporters want from the team so he tries to pass on that mentality to the players. I think we are in a good way, for sure."