Lennon walks out after death threat

Neil Lennon's Northern Ireland international career could be over after the Celtic midfielder withdrew from last night's friendly against Cyprus in Belfast following a death threat.

Lennon, who won his first cap in 1994, had been handed the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Steve Lomas and Gerry Taggart.

Lennon informed the Northern Ireland manager, Sammy McIlroy, of his decision just hours before kick-off. He has threatened to quit before after suffering anti-Catholic taunts and previous phoned threats from the team's Protestant fan base, which turned against him after he left Leicester City in December 2000 for Celtic and Glasgow, where religion plays a large part in football.

McIlroy has vowed to continue in the job despite last night's controversy. Lennon's absence threw the manager's plans into chaos but his side still managed to secure a 0-0 draw at Windsor Park.

"I have no intention of throwing in the towel," McIlroy said. "You can't give in to people like these. I am more determined than ever. Ireland will go on and do well. You can't let these people win."

The death threat was received by the BBC yesterday afternoon and relayed to the police and then the Irish coaching staff. McIlroy said: "Neil's first thoughts were to phone his parents, which he did and I told him to get back to me.

"The police invited me down to the room and Neil informed me he couldn't play because his parents wished him not to, which is understandable," the manager added. "Then I had a team meeting to put the players in the picture and to try and get them to perform in difficult circumstances.

"Neil then went with his father to the family home. He didn't say anything about his future plans," added McIlroy, who could barely disguise his anger. "We don't want these people to ruin the football team," he said. "They may as well have picked my team tonight.

"Everything I had prepared and done up until Wednesday lunchtime fell apart with one phone call. That's very sad. Neil was very sad himself. He was looking forward to playing, the lad was totally gutted."

Lennon had released a statement through his club, Celtic, which read: "After close consultation with the footballing authorities and the Police Service of Northern Ireland I will not be participating in this evening's international game. I am very disappointed that my desire to play for my country, on my first opportunity to captain my team has been taken away from me."

The former Northern Ireland striker Gerry Armstrong said: "The majority of fans supported him before. It's just so ridiculous ­ I can't believe it. To do this is beyond comprehension. To sink so low as to threaten a footballer with a death threat ­ it's terrible.

"Sammy McIlroy is working hard to get a squad that will do the country proud and they need all the strength they can get. Neil is one of the better players, one of the more experienced players. It's a sad day for Northern Ireland football."

The former Northern Ireland boss Bryan Hamilton, who gave Lennon his international debut in 1994, said: "Neil's a fantastic lad who has gone on to bigger and better things since he made his debut. This is really sad - the team will miss him."

David Bowen, the secretary of the Irish Football Association, said that McIlroy was "quite devastated" and called the telephoned threat "a terrible setback and terribly sad".

Lennon began his career with Manchester City but was released on a free transfer in 1990. He moved to Crewe and Martin O'Neill signed him for Leicester City in February 1996, Lennon subsequently followed O'Neill to Celtic.