Lennon's Tynecastle trauma

Celtic manager Neil Lennon will receive a two-match touchline ban after being sent to the stand during his side's defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.

A two-game ban is the statutory punishment for dismissal, although it could be increased if referee Craig Thomson's reports further wrong-doing.

Lennon heavily criticised the match officials after the 2-0 defeat.

He claimed Joe Ledley should not have been sent off for a foul on Ian Black and that Celtic were denied a penalty.

A goal in each half by Ian Black and David Templeton consigned Lennon to just his second league defeat as Celtic manager in the match at Tynecastle on Wednesday night.

The Celtic manager said after the match that he was baffled as to why he was ordered to the stand following an altercation in the technical area.

At 1-0 down and 55 minutes played, Celtic midfielder Ledley was shown a straight red card by referee Thomson for a two-footed lunge on Hearts' scorer Black.

Then, at 2-0, Celtic were denied a penalty when Ryan Stevenson handled the ball in the box.

Lennon was then ordered to leave the technical area for appearing to protest at the penalty not being awarded to his team.

"The referee just called me over on the advice of the fourth official and sent me to the stand. It was a scandalous decision," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"I'll seek clarification, but they'll probably have their story ready."

Lennon, while happy to admit that his team were out of sorts following their 9-0 hammering of Aberdeen, he was again angry at refereeing decisions.

"We were complacent at times going forward, and we didn't pas the ball well enough or create any openings," said Lennon.

"There were too many players, particularly in forward areas, off the boil tonight.

"Once again we're probably talking about a refereeing performance more than anything else.

"Joe's red card wasn't a foul never mind a sending off. It was a disgraceful decision.

"In the second half we started the stronger team and were playing very well, then that sending off changed the game.

"I was standing 45 yards away and I could see it was a penalty.

"So if the referee doesn't see it the stand-side linesman should see it.

"It was clearly hand-ball, and I still don't know why I was sent to the stand myself."

Lennon says he has still to receive an apology over the 'white lie' told by officials over a decision at Tannadice in October.

On that occasion, referee Dougie McDonald admitted to deception, along with his assistant Steven Craven, about how he reached the decision to overturn a Celtic penalty.

When asked if he thought a wide-ranging review of officials, along with discourse between clubs and referees, was needed Lennon said: "Probably. At the moment I don't know where my relationship with officials lies.

"They keep getting big decisions wrong as far as I'm concerned - and game-changing decisions as well.

"Craig Thomson's supposed to be one of the best in the country.

"It doesn't say a lot for the rest if that's the case."

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