Hartson flies out with Bhoys to cheer them on

Celtic striker John Hartson flew out to Spain with his team-mates this morning despite being forced onto the sidelines for the UEFA Cup final against FC Porto on Wednesday.

The Welsh international was finally ruled out of the game in Seville yesterday due to a slipped disc suffered in the Bank of Scotland Premier League win at Rangers on April 27.

But, despite the disappointment, Hartson is determined to cheer his team-mates on from the stands.

He said: “I will give the lads my support and the most important thing is for them to win.

“I’m heartbroken but knew it was coming when the injury was not responding to treatment.

“But missing out on the UEFA Cup final is still hard to take.”

Meanwhile, Hoops midfielder Neil Lennon is determined to claim UEFA Cup and SPL winners’ medals at the end of a tumultuous season.

The former Northern Ireland international was the subject of a death threat last August, before being booed by a small minority of Parkhead fans in the semi-final against Boavista and was attacked in the street last week.

But Lennon believes the experience of playing for the Hoops outweighs anything off the field.

He said: “I’ve no regrets about signing for Celtic and moving to Glasgow. It has been a tremendous experience and I am a stronger person for it.

“Admittedly, what takes place off the field is out of my hands. You deal with it and do the best you can to come out of it well.

“I try not to let it affect me. The early stuff with the international team was hard to take but, as for the events of last week, I can handle myself.

“There are other implications from the night that obviously I can’t speak about – but you wonder where will it all end.

“I have learned the hard way that Glasgow is the world’s biggest village.

“There’s no place like it for innuendo and it’s the world’s biggest rumour factory, I know that for sure.

“I’ve really had to dig deep in my time here. It’s testament to my resolve.

“I actually don’t like talking about it. It’s like I’m bragging about myself but it’s something that’s personal.

“However, if we can win one or two trophies this season it will all have been worthwhile.”

Lennon added: “If you can come through the Northern Ireland stuff, the booing from that night and other criticism you know you are mentally strong.

“Whether I like it or not I have found that people in Glasgow are a lot more personal than most.

“I wasn’t happy then about the Boavista night and I’m not happy now. I don’t know if I will ever be able to forgive.

“I was playing in a UEFA Cup semi-final and was booed by our supporters. For what reason I don’t know.

“But it does not fracture the bond – that’s still there. The fans have been brilliant since.”