NEIL Lennon strongly defended his Celtic players and particular Scott Brown after a bad tempered derby with Rangers.

The Parkhead men won 2-1 but the scoreline will almost be overshadowed by a red card to Alfredo Morelos and a fight between players at the end of the game.

Brown celebrated in front of the Rangers fans after the final whistle, which angered Andy Halliday, and the Rangers man seemed to swing a punch Brown only to connect with Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain.

Steven Gerrard, the Rangers manager, questioned why Brown didn't go to his own supporters but Lennon, who insisted Ryan Kent should have been sent off for putting his hand in the Celtic skipper's face, believes the veteran of Old Firm games had nothing to apologise for.

It was put to Lennon that it had been a heated encounter, he said: "Not from us. Browny got elbowed and then he got punched or pushed in the face (by Kent). It’s disgraceful.

“You can’t put the two in one basket. Our players kept their discipline very well and Rangers should have been down to nine men rather than ten.

“Scott Brown is Scott Brown. He is a veteran of these games and was brilliant again today. He knows how to handle the occasion, how to handle the opposition, he knows how to handle himself. He doesn’t need any advice from me.

“I didn’t see his celebration, I didn’t see where he went. He takes a lot of flak and maybe he’s given a little bit back.

“Again, it’s like he’s the bad boy but he’s not. He’s just giving a little bit back because of the amount of abuse he takes throughout the years.

“I understand it because I’ve been there quite a few times!”