Celtic news: Ex-Fifa official ‘absolutely gobsmacked’ as Neil Lennon footage emerges
Keith Hackett has claimed Celtic icon Neil Lennon could quit his role as manager of Omonia after controversy during their Cypriot Cup win.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee admitted he was “absolutely gobsmacked” by Lennon’s foul-mouthed rant at the officials as his side beat Ethnikos Achna on penalties last week (25 May).
The 50-year-old was sent off in extra time with the game goalless just before the penalty shoot out.
He told BBC Sport, as quoted by footballscotland on Sunday (29 May), that his outburst was predetermined after three minutes were added on to extra time.
“I’m absolutely gobsmacked,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“I know he’s passionate because I can remember doing a sports panel up in Glasgow with him a few years ago. There’s no doubt that the guy is passionate and a deep thinker.
“I almost liken him to Neil Warnock. Off the pitch, what a nice guy but then on it he suddenly turns.
“There is no doubt that the way he went about protesting the referee’s decision was over the top. It looked pre-meditated to me. It got a response by the referee, a red card.
“There are going to be decisions in a game that upset the managers and that’s when you have to bite your tongue.
“The example this weekend was the Huddersfield Town manager. He’s passionate, you could see him on the touchline gesticulating and all that goes with it and you think it’s over the top but then he was measured with what he said post-match.
“Neil Lennon can’t go to another part of the world and take this approach.
“He’ll receive a suspension no doubt and he might think he’s had enough of Cyprus, I don’t know.
“He’s had success, won his first trophy out there. He is a good manager, there’s no doubt about that.”
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