Lennon was in feisty mood at his side's pre-match news conference

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has fiercely defended his touchline conduct after receiving a ban for being sent off during his side's defeat by Hearts.

It is the third time in recent matches that Lennon has become involved in controversy with officials.

But Lennon said he has no intention of toning down his passion in the dugout.

"I've been hearing this now for ten years, the same regurgitated rubbish that I had as a player and now I'm getting it as a manager," he said.

Lennon is still seeking 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.

I don't think I behave any differently to a lot of other managers Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Lennon was critical of referee Willie Collum's handling of the following game, the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

And he found himself sent to the stand in midweek at Tynecastle after reacting angrily to a red card shown to Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley - and referee Craig Thomson's decision not to award a penalty against Hearts for a Ryan Stevenson handball.

The Scottish Football Association has now received Thomson's report from the match and will write to Celtic to inform them of the report's contents.

Lennon said that Celtic would not appeal Ledley's dismissal and he would await the outcome of Thomson's report before deciding whether to make an appeal over his own suspension.

"Well, I want to see the referee's report and, if I'm being charged then I'll look into that after that.

"People can interpret it however they like. I don't think I behave any differently to a lot of other managers," said Lennon, whose two-match ban could be increased in light of the official's comments.

"It just seems that my behaviour gets exaggerated a lot more, maybe because of who I am or who I manage.

"You can never get caught up too much in the emotions of the game."

Asked about his side's visit to St Mirren Park for the first time since a 4-0 defeat led to the dismissal of manager Tony Mowbray, Lennon said he had no idea at the time that the defeat would see him become Celtic manager.

"There's not many that played that night still here," he added.

"But you know, if there are, and they're playing on Sunday then it's a great incentive for them to put that night out of the memory bank and put right what went wrong.

"Obviously I remember the fallout from it vividly. I didn't think Tony would've gone, I just thought it would've been business as usual.

"Obviously it was a disappointing result, a heavy result, and I was obviously sorry to see him go."

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