Lennon backs the board

Sky pundit Nicholas often comes away with controversial statements and this time he has blamed major shareholder Dermot Desmond, chief executive Peter Lawwell and chairman John Reid for what he claims is the worst squad he has ever seen at Parkhead. Nicholas saved his most stinging criticism for Desmond who was accused of treating Celtic like "a toy" and failing to invest properly in the playing staff.

Interim manager Lennon has a close relationship with billionaire benefactor Desmond and reacted angrily to Nicholas' outburst. Lennon said: "If he's criticising Dermot, about Dermot's input into this club then he doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. And I'm really annoyed that I have to give somebody like Charlie - who does nothing but bang away at Scottish football, bang away at Celtic - any press time at all. It irks me. I've been here 10 years, 10 years, right; I've never seen Charlie Nicholas walk in through the door. So what Charlie knows about this club, I do not know."

Celtic's supporters have also been known to vent their anger at the board during what is set to be one of the most miserable seasons in the club's recent history. But former Hoops captain Lennon  insisted the Parkhead board could hardly have done more. He said: "The board have been very supportive to any of the managers that I've been associated with".