2011-05-11: Hearts 0-3 Celtic, SPL

Trivia

• Rangers remain 1pt in front, one game to go and likely Huns will win the league.
• Hearts fan ran onto the pitch and attacked Neil Lennon! Stopped by police and Alan Thomson before much damage done….

Review

A cracking match to report on, but all the action is off the pitch.
– on Sunday past, a group of neds (5 girls plus 2 boys) arrested for drapping union flags outside Lennoxtown and trying to take snaps of themselves with a gun (not know if real or replica).
– Lennon attacked during the match by Hearts fan
– Lennon sent a bomb again in the post!
– Lennon sent another bullet in the post.
– Raid made in Ayr on homes suspected of people who sent bombs to Lennon, two arrested.

Absolute disgrace what is happening.

See: http://www.thecelticwiki.com/page/Controversies+-+Improvised+Explosive+Devices+sent+to+manager+Neil+Lennon+%282011%29

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Scotsman newspaper

Neil Lennon attacked by a so-called fan while inside his technical area, Celtic supporters battling police and stewards while pretending to be Irish republicans, and two sending offs that verged on the farcical. One of the most controversial seasons ever is drawing to a close, however one last round of chaos at Tynecastle just about topped it all.

After refereeing cover-ups, conspiracy theories and parliamentary summits to discuss Old Firm matches, season 2010/11 added another chapter to its book of infamy last night. In the 49th minute of play, Celtic's celebrations following Gary Hooper's second goal were cut short. A man leapt from Tynecastle's main stand to sprint down the track and assault Lennon. The surprised Celtic manager barely had time to react before stewards pounced on his assailant, but that did not stop Lennon swinging his boot at the flattened thug several times. In fact, twice he mistakenly connected with one of the grounded stewards as his rage took over.

Few could blame him given the letter bombs, death threats, 24-hour security and everything else he has tolerated of late. No-one should be subjected to physical abuse for simply doing their job, especially when that job is managing a football team. Where was his protection? Lennon hurled a few expletives at his attacker as he was marched down the tunnel by police and the Irishman was later described as "shaken but fine" by his assistant, Johann Mjallby.

Hearts may now be punished. It might only have been one brainless buffoon but that he emerged from a section of home supporters to attack Lennon leaves the Edinburgh club open to possible sanctions from the Scottish Football Association.

Perhaps there should also be action taken against Celtic for the equally unacceptable conduct of their supporters in the Roseburn Stand. Groups of them fought with police and stewards in the aftermath of the attack on their manager, accompanied by deafening chants of "we are the IRA". Feet and punches were swung at the local constabulary as things threatened to get completely out of control in the away end.

On the field it was actually quite the opposite. Celtic were in total command of a match they had to win to keep their SPL title hopes alive. David Obua, Hearts' Ugandan midfielder, was red carded on 32 minutes for an innocuous slap at Charlie Mulgrew.

By then Celtic were already 1-0 ahead after Kris Commons had dispossessed the dithering Marius Zaliukas to tee up Hooper for a 12th-minute opener.

Hooper struck the second to unwittingly spark mayhem shortly after the interval, then late in the game Commons earned two cautions for diving and leaving the field of play respectively, the second in celebration after he converted Celtic's third.

The visitors dominated Hearts virtually from start to finish but their performance was overshadowed by events shortly after half-time. "How the lad ever got through there needs to be looked at, we don't condone it in any way," said Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager. "Thankfully nobody, particularly Neil, was hurt. The club will help the police and authorities to make sure that never happens again and that the right course of action is taken against the person who got free. It's just nonsense.

"I never had a bad feeling before the game. I thought it would be a great atmosphere but it was a different type of atmosphere for some reason. Whether it was because we got beat at Rangers on Saturday, and a week ago Celtic were in front and then handed the initiative back to Rangers, these things boil up. They have a chance to win the league on the last day now but I don't know if there was something last night that was going to boil over."

Mjallby echoed Jefferies' sentiments. "What happened to Neil, it's a dark day for Scottish football. It's an absolute disgrace," he said. "I've never seen anything like it. Obviously he (Lennon) is a bit shaken. I saw someone coming and obviously we didn't react at first but we were obviously a bit shocked, all of us."

Mjalby admitted the incident could prompt Lennon to question his future as manager of Celtic. He added: "Of course Neil has had the death threat and obviously what can you do? The guy could've had anything in his hand. It was shocking. We all know Neil is a strong character but how much can a guy take?"

Hearts will appeal the red card issued to Obua after referee Craig Thomson acted on the advice of his assistant referee, Keith Sorbie. Jefferies said Thomson told him Obua was dismissed for swinging a punch at Mulgrew and stressed the sense of injustice did not help the simmering atmosphere. "I felt there was a bit of hostility in the atmosphere but I've got to say I don't think the linesman did the referee any favours.

"You always felt it was simmering but I think that incident sparked it off a little bit more. I asked Craig what Obua was sent off for and he said it was a punch. I was within inches of them and Charlie had a wee pop at him (Obua) verbally and it was nothing. David brushed him aside. There was no way that was a punch. To get sent off for that was a terrible decision."

Hearts had started in buoyant mood since Dundee United's defeat at Ibrox 24 hours previously confirmed the Edinburgh club's place in Europe for next season.
But little more than half an hour in they were 1-0 down after another aberration from their captain, who was caught in possession midway inside his own half. Obua's sending off for raising a hand to push Mulgrew in the back of the head made for an insurmountable hurdle.

Hooper collected Ki Sung-Yeung's pass to poke the second beyond Kello, and Commons executed an expert jink on Zaliukas to skin the Lithuanian and drive home the third. The Scotland internationalist had been cautioned for diving just moments before, and when he set off to celebrate with Celtic supporters he earned a second yellow to add to compound a night of nonsense in Gorgie.

Hearts 0-3 Celtic

By Clive Lindsay
BBC Scotland

Celtic ensured the Scottish title race will go to the final day with a win over Hearts overshadowed by an attack by a fan on visiting boss Neil Lennon.

Gary Hooper had just slotted in his second goal of the night when a man emerged from the Tynecastle stand to aim a punch at Lennon.

Hooper struck after 12 minutes before David Obua was sent off and added his second four minutes after the break.

Kris Commons was sent off after celebrating a fine 78th-minute finish.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9480348.stm

Published: 2011/05/11 20:40:53 GMT

© BBC 2011

Official

Celtic Football Club Statement

By: Newsroom Staff on 12 May, 2011 14:59 FOLLOWING the events during the game against Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has made the following statement.

“Last night’s appalling attack on Neil Lennon brings shame on Scottish football and again highlights the fact that Scottish society must address fundamental and serious issues which lead to outrages of this kind.

"Apart from last night’s events, this week alone we have seen seven people arrested at our Training Ground following an alleged firearms incident and I can also confirm that this morning (Thursday) another package arrived at Celtic Park which appears to contain ammunition.This has been removed and taken by Police for further forensic tests.We are the only Club to be the subject of such vile, sustained and relentless attacks.

"It is intolerable that any football club, or individual, going about their lawful business in the name of sport should be subjected to this ongoing campaign of hatred and intimidation. This is Scotland’s shame and it is high time Scotland addressed it.

"Since moving here a decade ago, Neil Lennon has had to endure prejudice and violence both as a player and manager, having suffered no such problems elsewhere.In doing so, he has displayed a strength of character and resilience which deserve respect from all who oppose the campaign of intimidation against him.

"He is a man who is proud to be the Celtic manager and is someone who simply wants to be able to carry out his role in the same way as every other football manager can. Clearly, Neil will continue to receive every support and protection from Celtic Football Club.

"We are deeply appreciative of the intensive police efforts to address the criminal offences that have come to light.All right-minded people will surely condemn these actions but, as a society, we must also address the underlying factors that lead to such behaviour."

Two held in Lennon mail bombs probe Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Two men have been arrested in connection with an investigation into parcel bombs sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and to two high-profile supporters of the club.The men, aged 41 and 43, were detained after officers raided a number of properties in Kilwinning, Ayrshire. Police later said they had been arrested and detained in police custody under the Explosives Substances Act (1883).

It came as a man appeared in court charged with assault after an attack on Lennon at Tynecastle stadium at the Celtic v Hearts game on Wednesday night.

Police were also called to Celtic stadium in Glasgow after a suspect package believed to have contained a bullet and addressed to Lennon was found.

Police launched a major investigation after two bombs were sent to Lennon and one each to lawyer Paul McBride QC and former MSP Trish Godman. A fifth suspect package, addressed to the offices of Cairde Na H'Eireann (Friends of Ireland) in Glasgow, was also intercepted by officers last month.

The two men arrested are expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Friday.

Football chiefs said the recent incidents had brought shame on Scottish football. Officers arrested a man on Wednesday night after he clambered from the Hearts section of the main stand on to the pitch during a match at Tynecastle stadium in Edinburgh and made towards Lennon.

The manager, who has had to live with round-the-clock security after death threats in the past, was said to have been left "shaken" by the incident.

John Wilson, 26, from Edinburgh, has been charged with breach of the peace aggravated by religious prejudice and assault aggravated by religious prejudice.

He appeared at a private hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. No plea or declaration was made during the hearing and he was remanded in custody.

Gun drama at Celtic training complex

Evening Times

A firearm alert was sparked at Celtic’s training ground in Lennoxtown

Caroline Wilson
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10 May 2011

Seven people have been arrested following a gun alert at Celtic’s Lennoxtown training ground.

Armed police swooped on the multi-million pound complex after it was alleged someone had been spotted with a weapon.

A police helicopter was also brought in to sweep the area.

Five women and two men, one aged 17, were later held outside the centre in East Dunbartonshire, which is used by Celtic players and staff including manager Neil Lennon who has been the target of recent parcel bombs.

The seven arrested were appearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court today in connection with the incident, which happened around 8.30pm on Sunday.

A police spokeswoman said: “Five women, one aged 19 and four, aged 21, along with two men aged 19 and 17, were arrested and are being detained in police custody in connection with an alleged firearms offence.”

Celtic boss Lennon was the target of a parcel bomb sent to Lennoxtown last month.

Ten parcels intended for Celtic-related targets have now been intercepted including six hoaxes.

The latest bomb, found at a Royal Mail centre in Belfast, was posted in Scotland and addressed to Irish republican group Friends of Ireland in Glasgow.

A Celtic spokesman said: “The matter is in the hands of the police.”

The Chief Executive of Celtic Football Club says the touchline attack on manager Neil Lennon shames Scottish society, as it is confirmed a package containing a bullet was also sent to the manager.

Package containing bullet sent to Celtic boss Lennon

The Chief Executive of Celtic Football Club says the touchline attack on manager Neil Lennon shames Scottish society, as it is confirmed a package containing a bullet was also sent to the manager.