Lennon lost his cool after the final whistle had sounded at Ibrox

The Celtic captain was shown a red card for foul and abusive language at the end of their 3-1 defeat by Rangers - then angrily confronted the referee.

"Clearly, although I felt the red card - my first in the SPL - was totally unjustified, I understand that my reaction was wrong," said Lennon.

"I apologise for my reaction towards the referee and his assistant."

Celtic club-mate Alan Thompson had been dismissed earlier in the heated Glasgow derby.

Lennon still maintains his own red card was also unnecessary but concedes his reaction towards the officials was wrong.

Neil has apologised and we know that his reaction was wrong Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell

"I spoke to the referee about his performance and he then showed me a red card while I was shaking hands with the Rangers players," explained the midfielder.

Lennon responded by barging his chest into Dougal before pushing his assistant, Jim Lyon, while other players tried to restrain the Celtic midfielder.

Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas received an eight-match ban, later reduced to six, last season for barging assistant referee Andy Davis.

"I also apologise to Celtic and our supporters," Lennon said on his club website.

Neil has been an excellent servant to Celtic over the past five years and deserves the appropriate level of support Peter Lawwell Celtic chief exeutive

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell condemned Lennon's actions.

But he also pleaded with the Parkhead faithful not to turn their back on an "excellent servant" for Celtic.

"Neil has apologised and we know that his reaction was wrong," said Lawwell.

"Any action the club takes will remain an internal matter.