Neil Lennon had to leave Tynecastle today after being spat on and hit by coins at the Aberdeen v St Johnstone League Cup semi-final.
The Celtic boss was seated in the main stand surrounded by Aberdeen fans ahead of next Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie between Celtic and the Dons.
Lennon had to leave 20 minutes from the end with Aberdeen on their way to the final with a convincing 4-0 win.
The match was staged at Tynecastle by the SPFL who have responsibility for safety and security.
Whether Celtic make an official complaint about the incidents remains to be seen with the hoops boss having his own security officer with him at all times when he is on football duty.
So far the SPFL have made no statement on the incident with the gloating attitude of Aberdeen fans all over social networks.
According to Lennon’s agent, Martin Reilly, the Celtic boss had to leave due to verbal abuse, being spat on and being hit by coins while sitting in the stand.
One twitter messaging alongside a picture of the Celtic manager at the match said: “This is just asking for trouble #NeilLennon #Idiot.”
Off the park Lennon’s 13 years in Scotland has regularly been blighted by violence with football fans and members of the public feeling that the Irishman is fair game for their hatred.
In 2011 the Celtic boss was attacked by a Hearts fan at Tynecastle with the football authorities and legal system failing to respond to the incident in any meaningful way.
The League Cup remains without a sponsor with incidents like today highlighting why major companies shy away from being associated with Scottish football.
Where were the Polis,disgraceful behaviour that stadium(using the word stadium loosely)is notorious for disgraceful behaviour.
All out attack at Celtic park they’ll be crying next week.
Why was NL sitting in the stands next to the sheep fans? Why wasn’t he in a directors box or similar corporate seating? This was a massive security risk and should have never of arisen. Please NFL, dont tell me this was your idea?
Because in Scotland racist bigotry is only supposed to be a West of Scotland thing. Clearly the media don,t get out of Glasgow much.
Well done to Neil for not looking for or expecting special treatment about where he sat. Shame on the bigots in the Aberdeen support.
Very good. Guilty of being at a football game whilst being red headed, Irish and Celtic manager all at the same time. Good grief! You attitude is part of the problem Brian Mc.
Patrick, MY Attitude is there should have been adequate security provided by Tyncastle when they knew NL was attending. What the hell was NL doing sitting amongst the sheep anyway? Who mentioned Red hair or being Irish anyway? YOU DID ya plank!
Brian Mc
Neil was in the section reserved for all visiting managers on scouting duties which happened to be next to the Aberdeen fans
Well that ‘section’ is inadequate imho. one row of empty seats behind does not constitute a good safety zone FFS. Lets be honest NL has the highest profile in the game, extra measures SHOULD have been taken, ok NL might not want special treatment, but the security people have a duty to provide SECURITY.
Eagerly awaiting Peter Lawwell’s responce to this since he doesn’t hang about in rounding on Celtic fans deemed to have misbehaved. Anything other than a robust and very public response will look hypocritical, not to mention disloyal.
Good thing they didn’t sing offensive songs at him, the police would have arrested them in seconds.
Not surprised ! Best way to get back at them is to beat them 9-0 again next week in scottish cup .
Polis must have been at Celtic park filming empty seats just in case the invisible man was singing Roll of honour.
Has to be expected! In Auld Edinburgh Toon! Scotlands Capital!
Thought Aberdeen were better than this. Lowered themselves to the standards of the Bigoted Zombies who they are supposed to despise. Was actually pleased that Aberdeen won today and then I hear this.
If Hearts beat Inverness it will be the Neil Lennon Bigots final.
C,mon the Inverness.
No doubt the main stream media will be reporting this disgrace in full tomorrow.
“Neil Lennon incites the sheep shaggers to violence” Screams the Daily Retard.
Then again…………………….probably not!
Agree Matty,
The MSM are part of the problem.They
have always portrayed Neil Francis Lennon in a bad light.
Why ?
As they are part of Scotland’s Shame.Like
a headline the Daily Dump had a few years
ago, ” Who is hated more at Ipox, Neil
Lennon or the Tax Man ? ”
We are all.Neil Lennons.
Gob Bless Neil and his family.
Surely if a top flight manager goes to take in a game, then the clubs involved or hearts as the host, afford our manager the luxury of being in a safe area of the ground away from the general supporters, i.e directors box..?
Still, appalling behaviour regardless of where N.L was sat. Hopefully give the sheep as severe going over in paradise in the cup.
That’s Scotland for you,
Im surprised at the aberdeen fans throwing money away ,what is the world coming to.
Anti Irish racism appears alive and well in Scotland. I find it so sad . I wish they would listen to Scotland’s Story by the Proclaimers and take on board the sentiments. Neil Lennon has to endure terrible abuse in the country he has chosen to live in. I am also saddened that the Aberdeen support has descended to this level . Racism and bigotry cannot be tolerated in our society.
Lets see what action they take this time, maybe the dons supporters will share a sheep tonight. Idiots
a good stuffing for the dons next week would be the life of them toerags who shamed themselves today,head up neil.
I used to think Aberdeen fans were pretty much a fair breed, they hated the wedgie clubs equally. Maybe thu Huns a bit more but at the end of the day scotland ( not just the west of ) hate Irish Catholics period. Bonny Scotland my arse. H.h.
The best wee country in the world….NOT. Embarrassing at best if not sinister. Neil might be a bit “marmite” but no excuse to abuse the man for watching a game….. Shocking.
The hatred of all things Celtic is alive and well all over Scotland.The Aberdeen fans who spat on Lennon threw coins and forced him to leave the stadium for his safety are cowards as well as bigots .Bigotry and hatred is all over Scotland, not as the media like to pretend, a West of Scotland problem.
Only in Scotland Hail Hail JMJ
Dirty scum animals. No offence to the decent sheep of Scotland.