Celtic chief Peter Lawwell believes a decade of Old Firm abuse led Neil Lennon to crack in last week's clash with Rangers. The Hoops manager was involved in a furious touchline incident with 'Gers assistant Ally McCoist at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup last Wednesday and Lawwell puts it down to ten years of terror threats which finally made Lennon burst.
"There is no way you can condone Neil's behaviour that night. He would agree that he slipped below the very high standards he has for himself and for the club, and he recognises that," he said.
"There are mitigating factors, however, and you need to understand what is going on in his life at the moment.
"This is a man who is under enormous pressure as Celtic manager. Other than that he has to put up with live ammunition being put through the post, bomb threats and 24-hour surveillance.
"He also has to contend with the security measures the club have put in place and which Strathclyde Police have endorsed.
"Neil has a lot to take on at the moment."