Lennon reveals he’s helped Celtic youngsters cope with depression

CELTIC boss Neil Lennon has revealed he has helped “a couple of younger players at our club” deal with depression.

The Hoops boss, 40, who suffers from the illness, did not go into detail about his dealings with the Parkhead players but urged anyone who is affected not to be “ashamed” to seek help.

“It’s not a sign of laziness, or nothing to be ashamed of, it’s a very difficult situation to deal with,” he told BBC Sport. “People say ‘go on holiday’, ‘go and have a rest’ but you take (the depression) with you.

“The best thing I’ve found over the years to cope with it is to talk about it, get professional help and if there is a tablet you have to take that suits you, then do that.

“Some of the strongest, most intelligent, driven individuals in the history of the world have suffered from depression.

“It usually hits people who are pretty driven. I’ve been able to deal with it a lot better since I’ve been able to talk about it.

“It’s a fantastic feeling when you come out the other side of it and it’s a place you don’t want to go to again.”

Meanwhile Rangers manager Ally McCoist has furiously hit out at the decision to hand Sone Aluko a two-match ban for diving.

The 22-year-old was found guilty of simulation after winning a penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Dunfermline in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

McCoist believes his player has now been branded a “cheat” and a “liar”.

He told the club’s website: “I am absolutely shocked and extremely angry at the decision to give Sone a two-game ban. What they’ve effectively done is they have said the player has cheated to get the penalty.

“It’s an absolutely incredible decision given that the referee [Steve Conroy] is literally five yards from the incident.”