Lennon op delays training return

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon will miss the start of pre-season training after an operation on his left knee.

The Northern Ireland international had delayed the operation so he could play in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers last Saturday.

Lennon was discharged from hospital this morning after the operation which was described as a ‘‘tidy-up job’’ by Celtic doctor Roddy MacDonald.

The injury had become increasingly uncomfortable for Lennon as the season progressed but he was desperate to play until the end of the campaign and secure a second successive Scottish Premier League title.

A Celtic spokesman said: ‘‘The recovery period for such a procedure would normally be 10-12 weeks.

‘‘But Roddy MacDonald hopes that Lennon will be available for training in as soon as eight weeks.

‘‘As a consequence of the surgery, Lennon should miss the start of pre-season but would aim to be training with the rest of the squad by the second week of July.’’