Lennon - I won't be driven out

Lennon: Celtic manager is refusing to show any weakness

Neil Lennon has insisted he will not walk away from Celtic despite the obvious risk to his life.

The Celtic manager has found himself at the centre of an investigation from the Strathclyde Police after parcel bombs meant for him were intercepted.

Similar bombs that would have no doubt inflicted serious injury were sent to prominent Celtic fans Paul McBride QC and Labour politician Trish Godman.

"It is uncomfortable, you see your face every hour on the hour on the news and after a while you start thinking 'is that me they are talking about?'"
Neil Lennon Quotes of the week

Lennon has had to live with the threat of danger to his life all term after bullets were sent to him earlier in the season and a suspicious package addressed to him was intercepted last month.

These unsavoury acts have been met with a firm riposte of defiance from the former Northern Ireland international as he prepares his team for Sunday's Old Firm derby.

"Anyone in any walk of life shouldn't have to deal with something like this," said Lennon.

Uncomfortable

"It is uncomfortable, you see your face every hour on the hour on the news and after a while you start thinking 'is that me they are talking about?'

"And I had to deal with that on the day of a very important game (against Kilmarnock).

"I'd like to thank the police for all their briefing and the professionalism they had shown and the security they have given me over the last week, 10 days, they have been absolutely fantastic and made life as easy as possible under the circumstances."

He added: "I've had this for 10 years but I don't want to say you get used to it because you never do.

"It's been with me during my time as a player, my time as a coach and my time as a manager.

"But it is not going to deter me from doing what I want to do.

Privilege

"For me this is the greatest privilege in my life, to manage this football club and the support I've had from the fans and my close family and friends has been my strength."

Despite the Old Firm games being one of the best spectacles in British sport, there is an undercurrent of sectarianism that is still present at these games.

It has led many people to wonder if these acts would be carried out if Lennon was the manager of another club other than Celtic.

"It wouldn't, no," he added. "And it's not because it's my aggressive behaviour on the pitch anymore.

"A lot was said about that when I played and I think you all know the reasons why these things are happening now.

"It's good that people are talking about it and we will get something done about it."