MX23RW : Friday, April 26 10:27:54| >> :600:400662:400662:

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
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


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!