Ex ref slams Lennon 'leniency'

Lennon had already been given an automatic, one-match ban for the red card shown at the end of the match.

But a Scottish FA disciplinary committee decided, after a three-hour meeting, to add to that "for misconduct of a significantly serious nature".

Celtic say they "are pleased that we received a fair and balanced hearing".

Lennon, who abused referee Stuart Dougal and barged his assistant James Bee, had appeared personally in front of the committee along with manager Gordon Strachan and Dougal.

A Celtic spokesman said: "We are satisfied with the process, today's outcome and pleased that common sense has prevailed."

His previous record has been taken into consideration SPFA assistant secretary Fraser Wishart

Lennon's ban will begin with Wednesday's CIS Insurance Cup meeting with Falkirk, followed by league games against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Livingston.

Celtic coach Tommy Burns, looking forward to the third-round tie, said that the loss of Lennon would be a blow to the Glasgow club.

"There are players who could come into the side and do a job for us, but Neil Lennon's character is irreplaceable," he said.

Lennon had publicly apologised for his actions, while Strachan said that Celtic "wouldn't be stupid enough to make a fool of ourselves by trying to defend things that are indefensible".

The Northern Irishman's ban will be compared to that given to Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas after he barged assistant Andy Davis and swore at referee Hugh Dallas in a match against Rangers last season.

The Lithuanian initially received a five-match ban on top of the three matches for two red cards shown at the end of that match.

Mikoliunas' five-match addition was reduced to three following an appeal, a decision that also angered the refereeing fraternity in Scotland.

Lennon received representation from the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association.

SPFA assistant secretary Fraser Wishart believes previous good behaviour worked in the player's favour.

"Neil wants to put this incident behind him and one of the stressing facts is that he has never been sent off in an SPL fixture or been over the top of the threshold for yellow cards," he said.