Neil Lennon has apologised to the Celtic board after his clash with Ally McCoist at the end of Wednesday night's controversial Scottish Cup fifth round replay win over Rangers at Parkhead as it emerged that a suspicious package addressed to the Celtic boss had been intercepted.
Lennon was accompanied to training at Barrowfield by a security man on Friday morning and it was first team coach Alan Thompson who stood in at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hamilton.
The former Celtic midfielder said: "Neil apologised to the board regarding the events after the game on Wednesday night and the board have accepted that. From our point of view that's finished and I know Walter (Smith) has said that as well."
Thompson added: "I am saying now that Neil has apologised now so that makes it public."
Asked why Lennon had not appeared for the press conference, Thompson replied:
"Neil had a lot on his plate in the last couple of days and he thought it was right to stand out the way for a day or two.
"He has had 24-hour surveillance outside his house two days in a row protecting him and his family and he thought it was right to step out of the way.
"I spend a lot of time with him at work and away from work and I know how difficult it is for his family in Scotland and in Ireland.
"I think it is important that he gets the protection and backing that we give him."
Earlier this year, a package of bullets addressed to Lennon was intercepted in Northern Ireland.
Source: PA
