TOUCHLINE SPATS, DEATH threats, even a public assault: Neil Lennon has endured a difficult thirteen months at the helm of Old Firm giants Celtic.

The latest development in the troubled narrative of his managerial career comes courtesy of a controversial back page headline in today’s edition of the Scottish Daily Record.

Alongside an image juxtaposing the ex-Northern Ireland international with a cartoon tax collector, the headline asks:

“Who’s more hated at Ibrox? (Is it Neil Lennon or the taxman?)

Ostensibly a comedic reference to the financial woes of Celtic’s Old Firm rivals, Rangers, the banner has been accused both of taking both a flippant approach to Lennon’s status as a victim of sectarian prejudice and, in its grouping of the of the words “Lennon,” “hate” and “Ibrox,” of inciting the very sort of hatred it sought to satirise.

Celtic FC has since released a statement condemning the headline and outlining its new position regarding the newspaper:

“Clearly, given the year Neil Lennon and his family have experienced – with bombs, bullets, death threats and physical assaults – this kind of reporting is inflammatory, highly irresponsible and quite simply offensive.   For this newspaper to treat the matter in this insensitive and ill-judged manner is astonishing…”

Neil Lennon, his coaching staff and the Celtic players are very disappointed at this reporting and have jointly decided that they will not be co-operating with journalists from The Daily Record.”

Cetic and Rangers are due to contest the first Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox tomorrow.

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