Chris Sutton has kept the focus firmly on Gary Caldwell following the coin attack on Neil Lennon at Tynecastle.
The Partick Thistle boss was first to blame the Irishman for ‘bringing it on himself’ as he blabbed away to Radio Scotland following the Hearts v Hibs clash.
That comment set the tone for the coverage of the events with broadcasters ranging from TalkSPORT to Radio Scotland and STV providing other idiots with a platform to justify their hatred for the wealthy, red haired Irish Catholic.
Lennon’s agent Martin Reilly added some balance and context to the coverage with Sutton spelling out his views in the Daily Record.
The scenes at Tynecastle on Wednesday night were shameful and hugely damaging to the Scottish game.
But let’s knock one thing on the head right away.
To suggest Neil Lennon brings these incidents on himself is absolutely preposterous.
I know the cesspool of social media isn’t exactly the best way to gauge public opinion but I can’t quite believe some of the responses to my old team-mate being struck on the face by a coin.
People are actually trying to justify these actions. It’s mind blowing.
Throwing a missile at a manager is unacceptable in any circumstances. There are folk saying Lennon winds up the supporters and he makes himself a target.
He added:
Even more worrying is comments saying Lennon brings it on himself from the likes of Gary Caldwell.
I couldn’t believe he came away with that stuff. It was outrageous. Caldwell is not just an ex-player or even a former team-mate. Crucially, he is a fellow manager.
If that’s the mindset of someone who is actually in the game then we really are in bother.
Fair play, he came out and apologised once he saw the reaction to his comments on the radio but the horse had already bolted.
Tomorrow Hibs will be at home to St Johnstone while Hearts travel to face Celtic with their four point lead at the top of the SPFL table under serious threat.
Yesterday the two Edinburgh clubs issued a joint statement condemning the incidents that marred Wednesday’s match but having let similar incidents involving Sevco go unpunished it’s unlikely that the SPFL will be able to take any meaningful action.
CLICK HERE for Derek Johnstone’s ominous warning to Gerrard.
