Celtic manager Neil Lennon asked Andy Walker to apologize for his assessment of the club’s controversial trip to Dubai.
The Celtic manager missed the 1-1 draw against Hibernian and the goalless draw against Livingston at Parkhead as he was isolated after the club’s midseason training camp.
Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 players had to go into isolation after Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 and CEO Peter Lawwell later admitted the trip was “a mistake” and apologized to Hoops fans.
The former Celtic Walker striker, speaking in his role as a Sky Sports expert, criticized the club for its “lousy governance” during the trip, which he called “fun.”
Before the trip to Livingston on Wednesday night, an angry Lennon, who confirmed that a Celtic player who had self-isolated had tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, turned on Walker.
He said: “You can’t get on a public platform and spread lies and insults about my professionalism, the professionalism of my players.
“About 70-80 percent of the group are teetotalers and you know the inference and the innuendo you are making. It is not a bachelor party, it is not a ’18 -30 ‘even though it has been portrayed that way.
“We went out with the best of intentions.
Lennon walked away furious at Walker’s comments
“I want Andy to apologize because he was apologizing to the club.
“I want an apology from Andy because he has questioned my professional integrity, the professional integrity of my players and the use of the word cheerful is rude and arrogant.
“He accused the club of being arrogant last week. We weren’t.
“Are you speaking for the support of Celtic? Is he suddenly the man of the people?
“Andy has been in the game here for 20.30 years, he has made no contribution to Celtic at all.
“He stood there like he was a Celtic legend and a club stalwart, putting his boot on me, the club and everyone else. It is totally out of order.
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