MX23RW : Monday, April 29 17:39:53| >> :120:9613:9613:

Neil Lennon calls on "arrogant" Andy Walker to apologise for Dubai comments

Former Celtic striker Walker criticised the club's trip to Dubai.

Neil Lennon has called for Andy Walker to apologise for his assessment of Celtic's trip to Dubai.

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 mid-season training camp.

Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 players had to self-isolate after Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 and chief executive Peter Lawwell subsequently admitted the trip was "a mistake" and apologised to Hoops fans.

Former Celtic striker Walker, speaking in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports, criticised the club for "dismal governance" over the trip, which he labelled "a jolly".

Ahead of the trip to Livingston on Wednesday night, an angry Lennon, who confirmed that one Celtic player who had been self-isolating had tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, turned on Walker.

He said: "You can't go on a public platform and spread lies and insults about my professionalism, my players' professionalism.

"About 70-80 per cent of the group are teetotal and you know the inference and innuendo that he is making. It is not a stag do, it isn't an '18-30′ even though it has been portrayed like that.

"We went out there with the best intentions.

"I want Andy to apologise because he was demanding apologies from the club.

"I want an apology from Andy because he has questioned my professional integrity, my players' professional integrity and the use of the word jolly is crass and arrogant.

"He accused the club of being arrogant last week. We weren't.

"Does he speak for the Celtic support? Is he all of a sudden the man of the people?

"Andy's been in the game here for 20,30 years, he has made no contribution to Celtic whatsoever.

"He stood up there as if he is a Celtic legend and a stalwart of the club, putting the boot into me, the club and everybody else. He is totally out of order."

Sky declined to comment when contacted by the PA news agency.

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on January 2, 2021
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
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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