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Neil Lennon disappointed with Celtic coronavirus charge but willing to accept it

Neil Lennon disappointed with Celtic coronavirus charge but willing to accept it
© Reuters
The SPFL opened disciplinary proceedings against the club following Boli Bolingoli's actions.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has expressed disappointment at the Parkhead club being charged after Boli Bolingoli breached Covid-19 protocols.

Celtic face disciplinary proceedings at the hands of the Scottish Professional Football League after the Hoops defender played against Kilmarnock despite not quarantining after a secret trip to Spain.

Bolingoli will also face disciplinary procedures by the Scottish Football Association, while Aberdeen and eight of their players will also face charges for breaching guidelines.

Asked how he felt about the club being charged for Bolingoli's transgression,  Lennon said: "Disappointed for the club. I think we have been at the forefront of getting the game up and running.

"All the procedures, all the protocols, and it is down to the actions of one individual really.

"But we will hold our hands up, if we are accountable, we will have to accept that, take it and move on.

"What we don't want is the game to shut down again or any sort of mishaps, if you want to call it that.

"Two clubs, Aberdeen and ourselves, embroiled in this.

"I think it is unfortunate from my point of view as a manager, the majority of the players here and the staff and people at the club have worked really hard, tirelessly, so we will try to set the highest standards we can."

On the future of Bolingoli, the Parkhead boss stated that there had been "no conclusion as of yet but there will be".

Celtic have had two matches postponed as a result of the Belgian's actions and they return to action in Glasgow on Tuesday in a one-legged Champions League first qualifier against Icelandic outfit KR Reykjavik.

The former Hoops captain stressed that reaching the Champions League was one of the club's priorities this season.

"I think the players will be fully focused on that," he said. "It is important for them, important for the club.

"We've only had two competitive games so I think this game is really important for a lot of reasons.

"Reykjavik played on Friday and before that they had a shutdown but, for me, the game is all about us.

"We are at home, it is one leg. The preparation has been good even though we missed out on a couple of games.

"We have given plenty of respect to Reykjavik but we are expecting a strong performance from ourselves."

Striker Leigh Griffiths remains out with a calf injury, winger Mikey Johnston has had his calf surgery and will be out for three to five weeks, while striker Albian Ajeti, the new signing from West Ham, is in squad but not ready to start.

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Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo pictured for Celtic in October 2019
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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