THERE was no ranting. His tone measured, the words chosen carefully and that famous temper was kept in check.

That does not mean Neil Lennon missed Pedro Caixinha, Rangers fans who see him as public enemy No.1, and the nameless and faceless bloggers who spend their spare time writing statements about him.

They were left without a name.

The Hibernian manager’s face has been on front pages because of “police probes” following his “antics” at Ibrox during last Saturday’s win over Rangers. To the surprise of nobody, Glasgow’s finest had better things to be getting on with.

So there was that to deal with along with Caixinha, who did not impress Lennon with what he said and how he acted after the match.

“It’s hysterical non-sense, completely disproportionate,” said Lennon about some of the coverage following what was, after all, a sporting event. “How that can make front-page news of a tabloid, I do not know.

“By all accounts there were people complaining about me celebrating the goal. And that was reported. But there was a lot of other complaints to the police about other things going on in the stadium – and they weren’t reported in the papers.

“So I think it’s been made out to be Neil Lennon against Rangers instead of Hibs against Rangers. It’s done now. We won the game. I think it’s been a massive deflection from a fantastic win and performance from the players.

I think it’s just been reported disproportionately.”

One of Lennon’s points was that all sorts were shouted at him and yet to many this is viewed as appropriate behaviour. “Look, I have to put up with a lot when I go to that ground,” said Lennon. “And I don’t complain about it. I could cite a lot of people for what they say or sing – or throw.

“But there is an acceptance that, within the 90 minutes, it’s part of the culture of Glasgow. So, when I turn round and cup my ears, to suggest that’s a criminal offence – it’s not.

Or I punch the air. That’s not.”

And then there is Caixinha who had a dig at Lennon after the match, although what he meant is up for debate, and the Rangers manager, according to Lennon, failed to honour the tradition of having post-match small-talk.

“I didn’t see Pedro’s comments. You have to explain to me what he meant by it,” said Lennon. “Because, during the game, I think I remonstrated once with the fourth official about a decision.

“Whereas there were other things going on in their technical area. Bottles being kicked, blah-blah-blah, shouting and screaming at the fourth official.

So I’ve nothing to reproach myself for in how I handled the situation on Saturday.

“I paid him due respect before the game. You guys were here on Friday, you know that. I said he came across as a gentleman, I paid Ibrox the compliment of saying it was a great amphitheatre.

“I even complimented his team’s performance after the game. So, other than kiss his feet, how much more respect does he want me to give him?

“That respect should have been afforded to me when we went into his office afterwards. But it clearly wasn’t. You know, respect is a two-way thing.

“There was no conversation with myself or my backroom team. That was odd, very odd. I’ve never experienced that before.

“Only [Rangers coach] Jonatan Johansson and a fitness coach who was there made conversation. I spoke to Jonatan and the fitness coach spoke to Grant Murray. We had no conversation or dialogue with the manager or his backroom team.

“They spoke in Portuguese. Which I understand a little bit of . . .”

Lennon would be the first to admit he’s a bad loser, but even after an Old Firm defeat he, Walter Smith and Ally McCoist would have drink and a natter.

“I’ve been on the wrong side of it, I’ve been on the right side of it,” said the Hibs manager. “You don’t want to do it sometimes, sit and have a chat, but you appear out of respect to your counterpart.

“Whether we’ve had a ding-dong, whether the game has been great, if there have been controversial decisions or we’ve had a rammy during the game, whether you’re in a foul mood afterwards, you do it.

“And it can be awkward at times. But there is that unwritten rule. You go in and talk about the game, or talk about life in general. You talk about things unrelated to football, if you have to.”

“And especially in Old Firm games, there is an unwritten respect between managers no matter what went on before. Sometimes you don’t want to do it but you bite your lip and take it.”

And of the Club 1872 statement, Lennon perhaps saved his best line.

He said: “Laughable. Insignificant. Never heard of them. Looked like it was written by a 15-year-old.”