NEIL Lennon has launched a furious tirade against Celtic’s critics after the club were condemned for a trip to Dubai.
The manager took aim at the Scottish Government, pundits and the media as he claimed the club had been 'bullied'.
It came as it was confirmed that another of his players has tested positive for Covid-19.
The Celtic boss missed the 1-1 draw against Hibernian and the goalless draw against Livingston at Parkhead as he was self-isolating following the club's controversial training trip to Dubai.
READ MORE: Celtic club statement confirms circumstances of second positive coronavirus case
Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 players had to self-isolate after Christopher Jullien tested positive for coronavirus.
Chief executive Peter Lawwell admitted the trip was "a mistake" and apologised to Hoops fans.
Celtic FC’s Chief Executive has apologised to fans for the club’s recent trip to a training camp in Dubai.
— Heart Scotland News (@HeartScotNews) January 13, 2021
Speaking to the club’s TV channel, Peter Lawwell has admitted it was a ‘mistake’.
One player tested positive for COVID-19 following the trip. #HeartNews pic.twitter.com/qGzIbQDRA9
Yet a defiant Lennon has now spoken out against critics.
He 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."
Lennon said denied his team broke Covid rules during the trip abroad despite images emerging of staff and players lounging by a swimming pool with drinks.
He pointed to the Scottish national team and questioned their Covid protocols after their victory over Serbia in the Nations League play-off final.
Footage emerged of the squad dancing round a table doing the David Marshall conga as they qualified for their first major tournamnet in 20 years.
The Celtic manager continued: "It's not as if they were doing a conga in the dressing room and dancing to Baccara – or travelling a train journey from Glasgow to London with Covid.
"The fallout from this has been way too much – there's a bit of bullying going on.
“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.”
🗣Neil Lennon blasts the #SNP government, Andy Walker and the media in an explosive press conference. Don’t miss the football show today on #Youtube #Facebook live and here at 4pm #Celtic #NeilLennon pic.twitter.com/gFPkokhYGo
— PLZ Soccer (@PLZSoccer) January 18, 2021
Celtic chiefs were forced to apologise having been widely condemned by government officials and health experts over the Dubai trip.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon reacts to Celtic coronavirus chaos as she urges Parkhead club to 'reflect seriously'
Nicola Sturgeon said elite sport have privileges which "should not be abused" and insisted that she has "doubts" whether Celtic's trip was really essential and if guidance was followed.
Speaking at the coronavirus briefing last week, she commented: “This whole episode should underline how serious the situation we are in right now is and why everyone – including football – should be erring on the side of caution.”
The First Minister added: “Of course, a situation like this does make it essential for us to review the rules, including around travel exemptions, and that is what we will be doing.
“But, as we do, I would hope Celtic themselves will reflect seriously on all of this.”
Responding to Lennon's comments, BBC pundit Michael Stewart said the Celtic manager was "completely in the wrong".
He tweeted: "I’m absolutely sure Neil Lennon feels like he’s under attack but he is completely in the wrong to say everything that he did today, especially when another player has just tested positive. This sorry saga will continue to rumble on and hurt the club.
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