'I think it's personal myself -' Lennon set for more disciplinary heat after refereeing claims

Chief Sports Writer

Monday 16 April 2012

NEIL LENNON, the Celtic manager, is on a collision course with the Scottish Football Association after confronting the match referee in the immediate aftermath of his side's 2-1 defeat by Hearts in the semi-final of the William Hill Scottish Cup at Hampden yesterday.

Marius Zaliukas's shot hits Joe Ledley, resulting in a penalty for handball. Picture: Alan Harvey/SNS

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Hugh MacDonald

Lennon also later claimed decisions were "personal" after Euan Norris awarded Hearts a penalty in the 90th minute when a shot from Marius Zaliukas struck Joe Ledley's arm from close range. Craig Beattie, the former Celtic striker, converted the spot kick to win the match and set up a cup decider with Hibernian, the first all-Edinburgh final since 1896.

Lennon, who faces three disciplinary charges, with his first hearing on Thursday, walked across the pitch to confront Norris at full time, seconds after an unsuccessful Celtic penalty claim.The manager did not attend the post-match press conference but posted on Twitter: "Referee told players he thought [Victor] Wanyama handled . . . feel so sorry for players and fans . . . I think it's personal myself."Anthony Stokes, the Celtic striker, also wrote on Twitter: "Some ridiculous decisions today, it's getting beyond a joke at this stage. And that's not making excuses just saying it as it is."Ledley also tweeted: "Can't believe the decisions made on the pitch today. Was never a pen. This sums it up, he thought it hit Victor's arm." He also posted a photograph of a tackle from Ian Black, the Hearts midfielder, saying: "How's this not a sending-off? Anyway enough of the rant."The sense of injustice was taken up by Alan Thompson, the first-team coach, who substituted for Lennon in the media room. He said Celtic thought they had been "done again" by a "big decision", adding he believed they were denied "a stonewall penalty" in the Scottish Communities League Cup final defeat against Kilmarnock. He said Lennon had spoken to the referee after the match in the officials' room, adding: "We are all angry."Thompson said Norris's decision to deny Celtic a penalty was an example of "inconsistency". "If he gives it at one end, then he has to give it at the other end too. Yes, they have struck the hand. Was it deliberate in both instances? No, I don't think it was. So it's just inconsistency," he said.Celtic equalised Rudi Skacel's opener through a Gary Hooper header but the Celtic striker appeared offside. Asked if Celtic were fortunate in this instance, the coach said: "Yes, but not as fortunate as Joe Ledley is not to have broken his leg."He was referring to a first-half tackle by Black that was punished by a yellow card and published on Twitter by the Celtic midfielder. "It's a bad one. It was over the ball, over the top," he said.Paulo Sergio, the Hearts coach, admitted he felt his team's chance may have gone when Celtic equalised. "I did think they might go on and win the game, which makes this moment all the more special," said the Portuguese.Of the final on May 19, he said: "To play Hibs is the same to play any other team. It is an opponent we respect and when the time comes we will be ready but there are important things to do just now."He said the focus will be on improving Hearts' league position, adding: "If I feel the players are not focused on the league games then they will not play and will risk missing their place in the final."

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'I think it's personal myself -' Lennon set for more disciplinary heat after refereeing claims

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