Neil Lennon has dismissed John Hartson’s claim that it is time for him to step down as Celtic manager.
For five years the two men were side by side under Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, firing Celtic onto success and enjoying the rewards and good times off the park.
When you step into the media there are bound to be times when harsh verdicts have to be given on friends still inside the game.
Hartson has been a guest on Celtic TV a couple of times this season but after the 0-0 draw with Livingston told a podcast that his former team-mate should step down with Celtic’s title hopes ended at Ibrox.
Those comments made headlines on Sunday and Monday, at his newspaper conference today Lennon told the Daily Record his feelings on the Welshman’s verdict:
John has an opinion, like more people on the periphery of the game. You either take it on board or you don’t. It has no impact on me. It means nothing.
When he is praising me, it means nothing. When he’s talking about me losing my job or being removed from my job, it means nothing to me.
John feels he has a job to do. Yeah, he could have rang me first and had a chat about it. But when you are on the media side – and I’ve been there myself – it’s an easy life.”
During his broadcaster conference Lennon said that Sky Sports wouldn’t get any access until Andy Walker apologised for criticising the professionalism of Lennon and his squad.