Lawwell hails focused Lennon

29 July 2011 08:00

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell had no thoughts of standing manager Neil Lennon down for his own good last season.

The Northern Irishman's first full campaign as Hoops boss proved to be incident-packed on and off the field. He was sent bullets and parcel bombs and was then allegedly attacked by a fan at Tynecastle during a Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Hearts.

Asked if he had considered stepping in to take the heat off Lennon, Lawwell told Real Radio: "No, not at all. He is a strong character, an extraordinary character and he dealt with it amazingly well."

Lawwell added: "I think that strength of character was one of the main strengths we've seen in him as a person earlier in his career as a player, captain and coach.

"At no time did we feel we he wasn't capable of dealing with it and I think we were proved right.

"Things he had to deal with were beyond any reason, but he dealt with them fantastically well and never once took his focus off the job in hand.

"Tynecastle was the week when the devices were identified as being live.

"It was remarkable how he dealt with that and put it into context. He is a remarkable individual."

Lawwell added: "I think we hit a new low last season in terms of circumstances surrounding the game.

"The only way is up. We would like to think that would not be repeated this season and we are all taking about football and the headlines are about football."

Source: PA