Neil Lennon has reiterated Celtic's criticism of refereeing in Old Firm games last season. During the Glasgow derby at Parkhead in January, a goal by Marc-Antoine Fortune was ruled out after referee Steve Conroy deemed that the Celtic striker had fouled Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

In the previous Old Firm clash last October, Celtic had a couple of penalty appeals denied by match official Craig Thomson, who later admitted he had made an error of judgment in one of the decisions.

Days before the third game against Rangers in February, which the home side won 1-0 amid more controversy when Celtic skipper Scott Brown was sent off for tangling with Kyle Lafferty, a Parkhead "source" revealed that the club had analysed games and expressed concerns about major decisions that had gone against Celtic - a view with which Lennon concurs.

"I think some of the decisions we had last season were abysmal," said the new Hoops boss.

"Particularly in the high-profile games - the Rangers games in particular.

"The club were justified in making a point about it."

On his desire to see his players question decisions and back each other up, Lennon continued: "I did it myself as a player, not to influence the ref but to let him know we weren't happy.

"Any challenges that were a wee bit heavy, there were two or three of us around the player who did it.

"There was a togetherness and I want to see that again. I want to see them sticking up for each other.

"They did that in the last few games. That's what teams are about - looking after each other on the pitch and having a good spirit off it.

"It's important. It's a basic thing in the game and it's difficult because in the modern game you've got all these different coaches but we'll try to develop the players and make sure there's an affinity with the club."