Lennon frustrated by SPL’s early start

NEIL LENNON has joined Terry Butcher in criticising the early start to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season.

With a view to improving Scottish clubs’ chances in Europe, the new campaign begins this weekend but Butcher described it as “farcical”, claiming most clubs have still not assembled their squads.

Hoops boss Lennon, whose side travel to Easter Road tomorrow to play Hibernian, backed his Caley counterpart.

“I go along with that,” the Parkhead boss said.

“It’s too early. I can understand the reasoning or the thinking behind it.

“But we finished on the 21st of May and we were back in on June 23 and the season is starting on Sunday.

“Some of my players have had a fortnight’s break.

“Physically they are all right but you wonder about mental fatigue kicking in, maybe not early in the season but later on in the season, so we have to be wary of that.

“We are going to have to negotiate Sunday as best we can, get through that hopefully and get a positive result.

“We have prepared as best we can. It should be a good atmosphere, the pitch should be in good condition and we hope to pick up the tempo as quickly as possible.”

The Hoops boss, who will be without suspended Scott Brown for Sunday’s game, confirmed South African striker Katlego Mphela and Saint Etienne’s Ivory Coast international, Boubacar Sanogo, will both arrive on trial next week.