Celtic manager Neil Lennon facing action over 'offensive, insulting and abusive language'

The complaint relates to his team's 1-1 draw at St Mirren Park on Sunday

Neil Lennon was briefly flummoxed by a press question after training yesterday (Getty Images)

Celtic manager Neil Lennon faces Scottish Football Association disciplinary action over his language during his team's 1-1 draw at St Mirren Park on Sunday.

Lennon was today issued with a notice of complaint by the SFA's compliance officer accusing him of misconduct, specifically his alleged "failure to behave in a responsible manner as an occupant of the technical area by repeated use of offensive, insulting and abusive language".

The microphones on the live television coverage of the game appeared to pick up Lennon swearing at St Mirren captain Jim Goodwin following a tackle near the visiting dugout.

Lennon has not been offered a fixed suspension and has seven days to respond to the notice of complaint, with a hearing date pencilled in for April 18.

The charge relates to a verbal exchange in the 75th minute of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, after Goodwin put in a strong but fair challenge on Celtic's Dylan McGeouch. A voice which appears to be Lennon's was heard to say: "Well done Jim, think you're a hard man, eh?" before the swearing began.

Goodwin, a former Celtic team-mate of Lennon's, had brushed off the incident before the SFA took action.

Goodwin said in the Daily Record: "McGeouch had just come on, I flew into a tackle with him and Lenny was just protecting his player. He barked a few words at me and I have no problem with that.

"I'm just happy the Sky microphone wasn't close enough to pick up my unprintable reply or else I'd be in trouble myself.

"Lenny probably wouldn't have spoken to me again if he had heard my reply but it was all a top bit of football banter and I have no problems at all.

"We are both passionate men who want to win and both of us are bad losers."

After the match, Lennon described Bobby Madden's display as the "most appalling refereeing performance I have seen for a long, long time".

Madden made several dubious major decisions, including a penalty following an incident which yesterday saw St Mirren forward Esmael Goncalves issued with a notice of complaint for alleged simulation.

Celtic have also notified the SFA of their intention to appeal against Victor Wanyama's red card in the game, with confirmation of an appeal hearing expected later.

PA