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Celtic boss Neil Lennon hits back over ref calls
NEIL LENNON last night slammed talk that Celtic’s complaints about refs have paid off, with key decisions going their way in big games this season.
Celtic caught a break in the last Old Firm clash when Rangers’ Lee Wallace had a claim for the opening goal turned down by match officials.
In midweek, Hearts’ Stephen Elliot scored at Tynecastle but ref Willie Collum and assistant Andy Tait failed to spot the ball had crossed the line.
But Lennon, above, is angry that Celtic’s rage at referees last season has been linked with them getting lucky with big calls in this campaign.
Lennon said: “I can rebuff that straight away.
“There was a goal against Falkirk in the semi-final, a clear goal from Hooper that was onside by two or three yards. Rogne had a goal disallowed the week before.
“There have been contentious decisions that have gone against us.
There have been contentious decisions that have gone against us
“There have been a few that have gone for us but seemingly when they’re going for us at the minute there seems to be a whole big debate.
“Nobody spoke much about the goal we didn’t get against Falkirk, even though it was a pretty poor decision.”
Lennon will today rack up his 100th game as Celtic manager when his side face Caley Thistle at Parkhead and wants it to be the first of a number of landmark days.
He added: “It’s a bit of a milestone. I would like to reach a few more.”
Meanwhile, Lennon has tipped keeper Fraser Forster to make an England breakthrough.
The on-loan Newcastle keeper is in talks to seal a £2million permanent move to Parkhead. And Lennon reckons an international shout as back-up for Manchester City’s Joe Hart is not beyond him.
Lennon said: “Joe Hart is outstanding, he is clearly the England number one, but the way Fraser is progressing…
“The way he is playing, why not?”
Interim England boss Stuart Pearce watched Forster against Hearts in midweek.