Neil Lennon mocks pundit over ‘awful’ Celtic incident that left him angry in win vs Rangers
Neil Lennon used the “unacceptable” incident which saw Rangers captain James Tavernier pelted with missiles at Parkhead to make fun of Kenny Miller.
The former Celtic boss reacted after the 2-1 Gers defeat on 11 May, commenting on the Sky Sports coverage that items being thrown from the stands as the Light Blues defender went to take a second-half corner is “awful” and “angers” him [Yahoo, 11 May].
However, he then used the fact that one of the missiles appeared to be a cannabis grinder to mock former striker for both teams Miller over his bizarre rant against John Lundstram’s red card.
Lennon said to laughter from James McFadden and presenter Eilidh Barbour: “I don’t know what it was. I hear it was a marijuana grinder or something like that. So maybe Kenny threw it down, who knows.
“But no look, I don’t want to make light of it, it’s unacceptable.”
James Tavernier targeted as Rangers title bid ends at Parkhead
Lennon’s joke was actually quite funny but he clearly was making light of the situation, and while Tavernier wasn’t hurt by anything there was plenty raining down around him.
Rangers have rightly been criticised when similar incidents have occurred at Ibrox so it can’t be ignored when the roles are reversed.
Throwing missiles at players or staff of any club is clearly unacceptable yet appears to be a growing issue, with the likes of Hearts star Lawrence Shankland also targeted by Hibs supporters in the Edinburgh derby.
Miller’s insistence that Lundstram shouldn’t have been sent off by Willie Collum for his lunging, studs-up challenge on Alistair Johnston made him an easy target, when the pundit should probably focused on the soft penalty-award for a light clip of Matt O’Riley if he wanted to support his argument against VAR.
On the whole Rangers were their own worst enemies as yet another Old Firm derby ended in disappointment, with Philippe Clement not immune from criticism himself on this occasion.
A midfield which in hindsight was crying out for the industry of Dujon Sterling or even the composure of Nico Raskin went missing to as Mohamed Diomande struggled alongside Lundstram’s nightmare 45 minutes.
In terms of the title race there needs to be plenty of introspection at Ibrox, but as far as missiles being thrown at Tavernier goes it shouldn’t go unpunished.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are already looking to land a defensive reinforcement after a new contract development.
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