Lennon: Referee deprived me of doing my job
The Celtic boss spoke to the referee at half time in the players tunnel before briefing his players in the away dressing room for the second period.
As Lennon made his way back to the dug-out Murray told him that he was banned forcing the hoops boss to watch the second half from the media room.
Explaining what happened at the break the hoops boss said: “I didn’t think it was a sending off (Cha’s red card), not sure that Wallace would ever get to the ball and we had cover. The contact is minimal, I was pretty upset by that decision and pretty upset by some other decisions that went on in the first half.
“I got a warning from the fourth official which was fine. I had, for me, a quiet word in the tunnel with the referee and thought nothing of it.
“I didn’t swear, I just put my point across and that was it. I came out of the dressing room after doing my speech at half time to the players and got called in and told that I’m not going out.
“He (Murray) has deprived me of doing my job in the second half.
“I wanted to see him after the game, I was told to wait 20 minutes then I can go and see him. After 20 minutes he said no ‘I don’t want to see you’. So I had to send some of my staff out.”
Discussing the confrontation with Murray in more detail the Celtic boss said: “I was just critical of his first half performance, I never used any abusive language. I’ve spoke to the delegate, they say one thing I’ve got witnesses that say another.
“I need some answers and I’m not getting them at the minute.
“I’m entitled as a manager to speak to a referee. Who are they accoutable to? Are they just allowed to waltz through game criticism free?
“I put my point across, I didn’t point my finger, I waited for him, I spoke quietly to him up the tunnel and that was the end of it.
“I think as a manager I’m entitled to do that. My players are very very angry, they are very disappointed as well but I think that there’s an anger there more than anything else.
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