Celtic will complain about manhandling: Lennon

05 March 2013 16:16

Celtic manager Neil Lennon says the Scots will complain to the match referee on Wednesday if there is a repeat of the pushing and shoving incidents which marred the sides' first leg in Glasgow last month.

The Scottish champions take on their Italian counterparts trailing 3-0 from the first leg at Celtic Park, where the hosts were manhandled by Juve's defenders in the goalmouth at almost every setpiece.

Lennon was furious the match referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco failed to take any action against Juve's players,claiming he "didn't do his job". The manager went on to lodge a formal complaint with UEFA.

Ahead of Wednesday's second leg, when the Scots will need a miracle to overcome the Bianconeri if they are to make the competition's last eight, Lennon pledged they will not wait so long to complain this time.

"No one minds physical contact," Lennon said. "I don't want to make a big issue of it but the players will make the referee aware if it goes on again."

Lennon admitted Juventus deserved to win the first leg but indicated that it was not the first time the Italians are guilty of such tactics.

"I'm not taking anything away from Juventus, they deserved to win the game (first leg)," he added.

"But I did feel there were parts of the game that Juve should have been punished for, particularly at the corners.

"I watched the Napoli v Juve game the other night and (Napoli striker, Edinson) Cavani was being pulled around quite a bit. We're just looking for the referee to do his job properly, that is all."

Source: AFP