'Sad day' for soccer, says Hamilton

Neil Lennon’s decision to call time on his international career because of sectarianism is a “sad day” for Northern Ireland football according to the man who gave the midfielder his international debut.

Celtic midfielder Lennon was forced to withdraw from last night’s friendly with Cyprus at Windsor Park despite being made skipper of the side after the BBC’s Belfast office were said to have received a threat from the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

The Catholic player immediately sought the advice of his family before pulling out of the match and today announced today he “probably won’t be going back to play for Northern Ireland”.

“Today is a sad day and that is the shame of it all,” said former Irish boss Bryan Hamilton, who gave Lennon his international debut in 1994.

“I heard he might be thinking about it again and was hoping against hope that was the case.

“I think when you look at it just from the sporting aspect, Neil is a very, very important person and you would talk to him along those lines.

“When it comes to the other side, I think it becomes very difficult. I would certainly speak with him, but to be honest with you it is one of those things he has to sort out with his family and himself.

“It is a very personal decision for Neil and a very hard one I am sure.

“Unfortunately it has come to all this, which is very sad.”

Hamilton echoed the sentiments of other leading Northern Ireland officials who have called for sport to lead the way against sectarianism.

He told Sky Sports News: “I made it a personal campaign to bring people together and act as a catalyst for working towards everything that was good within the Province.

“It has fantastic people and is a beautiful part of the world. It will always be my home and just feel so sad this has happened.”

Hamilton admitted he had not given up hope of the influential Celtic star changing his mind.

He added: “Neil Lennon is a young player in international terms and a very important player. He could be a player for some many years to come and an experienced player which we are short of.

“So I am just hoping against hope there will be second thoughts and that there will be talk and considerations and the real supporters of the national team will indicate they want him to be there and part of the national set-up.

“To play for your country is a wonderful, wonderful thing and to have to stop other than because you are too old or the manager’s deciding your are finished is sad.

“I just hope Neil will be back playing for Northern Ireland.”