Lambert apologises for 'upset' over party

Celtic captain Paul Lambert has apologised to fans following the club’s notorious Christmas party.

Lambert read from a prepared statement that had been written on behalf of the players in the wake of Tuesday’s team night out in Newcastle which ended with Joos Valgaeren, Johan Mjallby and Bobby Petta spending a night in the cells.

It was alleged that a photographer’s camera had been damaged after he had taken pictures of Celtic players emerging from a nightclub.

Neil Lennon was also arrested during that evening but was quickly released without charge, with the other three bailed to reappear before magistrates on Tyneside in March.

Lambert said: “We went out to Newcastle on Tuesday evening for the players to have a social night out in much the same way as groups of colleagues do across Scotland at Christmas time.

“It was never our wish to cause any upset or embarrassment to anyone, whether in Newcastle or back in Scotland.

“We appreciate the press reports may have caused upset and embarrassment to both the club and the supporters.

“The players take their own reputations and that of the club very seriously and, without in any way commenting on the accuracy of the press reports, the players wish to apologise for the fact that a perfectly innocent club night out has caused the club and its fans to be disappointed.”