NEIL LENNON has hit out at sections of the Scottish mainstream media for spinning a want-away rhetoric against his players. The Celtic manager spoke to BBC Sportsound after his side dismantled Hibs to stay one point behind Rangers (who have played a game more) and he addressed the constant rumours linking players like Christie, Ajer, Edouard and Ntcham with moves away from the club.
The manager’s brilliant response was measured but firm, backing his players amongst rumours that are created to unsettle players and created disharmony within the ten-in-a-row chasers. Ryan Christie was linked to Burnley by the Daily Record on the morning of the game and Lennon didn’t miss the mark when he was asked to discuss the rumours after the game.
“We can’t affect that, that’s out of our control. There’s nothing in the stories again.
“The media create these stories and then ask me about them. I have no answer to them because there is just no foundation to them whatsoever.
“It’s the last week of the window, and again I’m disappointed that stories are coming out that are unfounded on the day of an important game.
“We had it last week with Ajer, and we’ve got it this week with Ryan and Odsonne.”
Celtic supporters have had to cope with these rumours for a number of weeks and it is reassuring to hear Lennon hit back at the media, which has created a degree of disharmony. Odsonne Edouard, Kris Ajer and Ryan Christie are all phenomenal talents that will no doubt go on and have create careers, whether at Celtic or not, but they are essential in the hunt to 10IAR and cannot be sold.
