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Football

05th Apr 2019

Scott Brown has “nothing to defend himself for” after Old Firm, says Neil Lennon

Simon Lloyd

“His treatment on the pitch was nothing short of disgraceful”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said club captain Scott Brown has “nothing to defend himself for” after being charged over his conduct during the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

The midfielder was charged by the Scottish FA for his role in several incidents which took place during the game, in which Celtic beat rivals Rangers 2-1.

Rangers’ trio Alfredo Morelos, Andy Halliday and Ryan Kent have all been suspended since the game, with manager Steven Gerrard also accepting a one-game touchline ban.

Brown was involved in incidents with all three of the Ibrox club’s players and has been accused of breaching rules which stipulate players should “act in the best interests of football”.

Brown

According to his manager, however, the 33-year-old has done nothing wrong. Describing all his players’ behaviour as “exemplary under immense provocation”, Lennon insisted Brown’s treatment from the opposition was “disgraceful”.

“Scott Brown has nothing to defend himself for,” Lennon said to Celtic TV. “I think that his treatment on the pitch was nothing short of disgraceful.

“He’s been elbowed, he’s been hit in the face.

“But he takes it, he stands up to it and comes back for more. And that’s the character of the man.

“So you get the usual nonsense and trying to put the same eggs in one basket. We’re totally exempt from any blame from this whatsoever.”