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Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 2
Aug 9, 2020 at 4.30pm UK
Rugby Park
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Neil Lennon "livid" with Boli Bolingoli after "betrayal"

Neil Lennon
© Reuters
The Belgian played in Sunday's game at Kilmarnock despite failing to self-isolate following a secret trip to Spain.

Neil Lennon has criticised "rogue" defender Boli Bolingoli after his "baffling" decision to fly abroad caused Celtic's next two matches to be postponed.

The Belgian admitted he was "guilty of an error of judgement" after playing in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock despite having recently returned from Spain without quarantining.

Lennon admitted that it would be "very difficult" for the now quarantined Bolingoli to be welcomed back into the fold at Parkhead.

"I am livid; total betrayal of trust," he said. "He took a flight to Spain on the Monday and flew back on Tuesday – one day in Spain, no logic to that – and decided to keep it to himself.

"We couldn't have done any more as a club to maintain the standards.

"This is a rogue who has gone off tangent and decided to do something very, very selfish.

"He trained all week in this bubble and was part of the squad for Sunday and put everybody at risk, the Kilmarnock players and staff as well.

"We were livid and appalled. We have been bitterly, sorely let down by the selfish actions of one individual. He blatantly disregarded instructions.

"The players are angry, disappointed and frustrated. It's just not good enough. It's just simply not good enough."

Kilmarnock v Celtic – Scottish Premiership – Rugby Park
Boli Bolingoli (right) came off the bench at Kilmarnock on Sunday (Jeff Holmes/PA)

This latest controversy follows the postponement of Aberdeen's visit to St Johnstone after two of their players tested positive for Covid-19 and a further six were instructed to self-isolate following a night out.

Celtic and Aberdeen have both had their next two games called off by the Scottish government, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saying football was being shown a "yellow card".

The Premiership champions were due to visit St Mirren while the Dons were scheduled to face Hamilton on Wednesday night, before the pair were slated to meet each other on Saturday.

Celtic's Champions League qualifier at home to KR Reykjavik next Tuesday is not in danger, the PA news agency understands.

Lennon continued: "I couldn't disagree with anything that the First Minister said today in terms of club responsibility. We apologise to all the other clubs in the division and in the football support as a whole."

The former Celtic captain believes he was subject to a double deception by Bolingoli.

He said: "No question. One for going and two for not reporting that he went. He put all that at risk and never told a soul. The players didn't seem to know anything about it. The reaction of the individual is just baffling."

Lennon described the decision to call off the next two Celtic games as "fair" but believes it would be "catastrophic" for the game in Scotland to be brought to a halt again.

Kilmarnock v Celtic – Scottish Premiership – Rugby Park
Neil Lennon feels Bolingoli's actions were a double betrayal (Ian McNichol/PA)

He said: "We have had a major blow to the game already with the lockdown.

"Obviously the other leagues haven't even started yet but to stop altogether, I don't know how the recovery process would be or how long it would be.

"I am relieved. I am glad that football is continuing. Unfortunately for us and Aberdeen, we have to miss out on the next two games."

Celtic remain in talks with West Ham striker Albian Ajeti while discussions with former Scotland forward Steven Fletcher have halted, but a potential deal is not dead.

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Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo pictured for Celtic in October 2019
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Celtic, Aberdeen both see next two matches postponed after coronavirus breach
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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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