McManus: We will ignore Lennon distraction

Stephen McManus insists Celtic will not let any potential probe by Scottish Football Association into skipper Neil Lennon sidetrack them from their quest to retain their Bank of Scotland Premier League title.

The Irishman is expected to be subject to an investigation after being called to referee Iain Brines’ room following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Falkirk.

The Parkhead skipper was sent-off in injury-time for allegedly gesturing a headbutt towards Bairns striker Anthony Stokes after players from both sides became embroiled in a row over the penalty Lennon had won following a challenge by Kenny Milne.

The Celtic skipper then angrily remonstrated with assistant referee Neil Brand as he left the field.

Lennon was given a three-match ban by the SFA last year for aggressive behaviour towards referee Stuart Dougal at the end of the first Old Firm derby of the season and is likely to be reported again by Brines.

McManus, however, believes the Parkhead side, who are 16 points clear of Rangers, will be focused on maintaining their lead at the top of the table.

The defender said: “Nobody really knows what is going to happen with Neil.

“If we lose him for a game or two, it will be a blow, but you just get on with it.

“Lenny is an inspirational player here and he would be missed, but he will come back from whatever happens.

“It doesn’t matter who is in our side. There’s always someone capable of coming in and doing just as good a job, if not a better one.

“The most important thing is that we just keep picking up as many points as possible.

“Rangers moved into second place at the weekend by getting a result at Pittodrie and they need to keep pushing us on.

“So the most important thing at this time of the year is just getting as many wins as possible under your belt.”

Falkirk captain Jack Ross has urged the SFA to go easy on the Celtic skipper rather than hammer him with a lengthy suspension.

He said: “I didn’t see the incident as I was busy arguing with other players, but Anthony felt Neil was unfortunate to be sent off.

“He said there wasn’t a lot in it.

“The linesman must have seen something but the game didn’t have a bad undercurrent and maybe reputation sometimes goes before you.

“I am a great believer that football is a heat-of-the-moment thing.

“When the referee gave Celtic a penalty, I reacted and I am quite mild-mannered most of the time.

“You usually calm down quickly and some calm down quicker than others, but football is a passionate game.

“It’s sometimes better to step back and take a look at the bigger picture and I wouldn’t like to see Lennon punished any further.”