Former Celtic star warns Neil Lennon to concentrate on team
Former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas has urged the Scottish Premier League giants' manager Neil Lennon to move away from the referee issue and focus on achieving success with his team.
Lennon has had several issues with officials over the last few months, including the incident at Tannadice against Dundee United where a penalty was awarded only for the decision to be reversed. He was also sent to the stands in his side's 2-0 defeat away
to Heart of Midlothian, after protesting when he felt a penalty should have been awarded to his side.
However, Nicholas feels that Lennon's spats with referees are not helping the team and has urged the Northern Irishman to rein in his emotions and focus on winning the SPL title this season.
Nicholas told reporters: “Celtic are still in the title hunt and I would like Neil Lennon to focus on that. I will give him the benefit of the doubt that frustration has got the better of him because of pressure to win the league but he can't slaughter referees
every time Celtic lose. Big decisions have gone against the side but I don't agree it's because of cheating by match officials. Dougie McDonald's change of mind over his penalty decision against Dundee United sparked fury but Celtic still won.
“At Tynecastle when Lennon was sent to the stand for complaining about not getting a penalty, which they should have got, Hearts also deserved their 2-0 victory. So, let's not use these decisions to take away from the fact Celtic did not deserve to win these
games. My advice would be to focus on the team rather than a losing battle with the Scottish Football Association."
Following a 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Celtic Park on Saturday 20 November, Celtic are now three points behind defending champions and league leaders Rangers.
The Hoops are next scheduled to play against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday 27 November.
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