MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 15:38:19| >> :600:186377:186377:

Neil Lennon hits back at criticism of Celtic Dubai trip

The Hoops manager also revealed another player had tested positive for Covid-19.

Neil Lennon has confirmed another Celtic player has tested positive for Covid-19 as he angrily hit back at criticism of the club's controversial trip to Dubai.

The Celtic boss missed the 1-1 draw against Hibernian and the goalless draw with Livingston at Parkhead as he was self-isolating following the mid-season training camp.

Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 players had to isolate after Christopher Jullien tested positive for coronavirus and chief executive Peter Lawwell admitted the trip was "a mistake" and apologised to Hoops fans.

Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19
Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Ahead of Wednesday's trip to Livingston, Lennon responded to a question about his time self-isolating by saying: "It has been interesting watching the fall-outs, the media and the attacks on the club."

He then said: "Another player has been deemed positive, it is someone who is self-isolating.

"Everyone is negative bar two players.

"I think that is remarkable and blows out the water the way the trip has been portrayed in certain quarters of the media, by certain pundits and by certain government officials as well.

"We didn't abuse any 'privilege', we did the right things, we were totally professional.

"We had a little drink in the afternoon on the day of, completely allowed, no law breaking.

"But we come back to this barrage of absolute hypocrisy."

Lennon also addressed comments made by former Celtic striker Andy Walker who, speaking in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, criticised the club for "dismal governance" over the trip, which he labelled "a jolly".

Former Celtic player Andy Walker was critical of the club over their Dubai trip
Former Celtic player Andy Walker was critical of the club over their Dubai trip (Jeff Holmes/PA)

He said: "You can't go on a public platform and spread lies and insults about my professionalism, my players' professionalism.

"About 70-80 per cent of the group are teetotal and you know the inference and innuendo that he is making. It is not a stag do, it isn't an '18-30′ even though it has been portrayed like that.

"We went out there with the best intentions.

"The lads had one day off and they are entitled to a  bit of down time."

ID:431108: cacheID:431108:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6357:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Generic view inside Celtic Park from August 2016
Read Next:
Celtic's Gavin Strachan expresses frustration at Livingston draw
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1110103132831
2Aberdeen11101024101431
3RangersRangers11713168822
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd125431813519
5Motherwell116141514119
6St Mirren134361722-515
7Dundee123361824-612
8Kilmarnock123361525-1012
9Ross County132651021-1112
10St Johnstone133191627-1110
11Hearts132381420-69
12Hibernian121561118-78


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!