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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Lennon opens up on explosive red card rant at referee in Cypriot cup final triumph

Lennon opens up on explosive red card rant at referee in Cypriot cup final triumph

EX-CELTIC boss Neil Lennon insists his "head just went" as he was sent off as he clinched Cup success in his first season in Cyprus.

The former Parkhead manager joined Omonia Nicosia in March and delivered Cup success in the Cypriot Cup final despite his side being down to ten men for 116 minutes.

Lennon's team were reduced to ten after Shehu Abdullahi was sent off after four minutes against Ethnikos Achna.

But Omonia would go on to claim the trophy after extra-time and penalties where they ran out 5-4 winners from the spot.

However, that wasn't before Lennon was sent to the stands for an explosive rant at the referee when time was added on as the shoot-out loomed.

And Lennon has revealed he handed a list of spot-kick takers to assistant Garry Parker before giving both barrels to the match official with one minute left in extra-time.

Slamming the officiating in Cyprus, Lennon explained the scenario on Sportsound: "I got sent off in the 119th minute. I said to Garry Parker that it was going to penalties and handed him our list. He asked where I was going and I said 'I'm giving it to this guy.'

"It was totally pre-planned. Then their bench started chirping up.

"They played against 10 men for 116 minutes so they had nothing to complain to the referee about!

"Then he found three minutes of stoppage time in injury time. My head just went after that so I had choice words for the referee. But there is a problem with them here.

"My goalkeeping coach has been sent off seven times, but it's quite a regular things for coaches to be sent off. They are so pedantic and make the Scottish referees look brilliant."

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