Lennon adviser: ‘Attacks on Celtic boss are Scotland’s shame’

“If Neil was black, this would not be tolerated.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon’s closest confidant has demanded an end to the 14-year hate campaign against him.

Adviser Martin Reilly, who has been at the Celtic manager’s side since he came to Glasgow, believes the Northern Irishman has been subjected to a catalogue of attacks purely because he’s Catholic.

Last Saturday Lennon was again targeted, this time by Aberdeen hooligans who hurled missiles at him as he tried to watch the Dons’ League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

Speaking out for the first time, Reilly insisted the continuing abuse is a national disgrace and must be extinguished once and for all.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Post he said: “It has to stop. The fact his treatment has been allowed to go on so long is an embarrassment for all of Scotland.

“If Neil was black it wouldn’t be tolerated, so why is it any different for an Irish Catholic?

“Last week’s Tynecastle incident may not have been motivated by sectarianism but the vast majority are. Right across the country he’s targeted because of his religion.

“Nobody is asking for Neil to get special treatment, only that he is allowed to go about his job like everyone else, and that he and his family can have something close to a normal life.”

Lennon, originally from Lurgan, County Armagh, moved to Glasgow in December 2000 when Martin O’Neill signed him for the Parkhead side.

But during his time in Scotland he has been subjected to a bomb plot, battered unconscious on a night out, and attacked while in the technical area during a match.

Police Scotland have launched a probe into the latest incident at Tynecastle that resulted in the former Celtic captain being forced to leave early.

Reilly, who is godfather to Lennon’s son Gallagher, said: “There’s an argument this is a west of Scotland issue, but it’s simply not the case.

“It’s all over the country. Neil could go to Aberdeen, Dundee, anywhere tonight and he would get verbal abuse.

“Martin O’Neill said the abuse he gets is racism, and he was absolutely right. Neil is targeted because he’s an Irish Catholic. There is no question about that.

“There have been high profile anti-racism campaigns, and rightly so. To a large degree attacks on black players have been stamped out. But, why have we not been able to deal with the anti-Catholic issue? If Neil was Scottish this wouldn’t be happening.

“If the abuse he’s been subjected to happened to any other manager, there would have been marches to have it addressed. 2014 is a big year for Scotland. We’ve got the Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and the vote on independence.

“What is happening to Neil is not just shameful for Scottish football but society in general.”

Reilly has experienced first-hand the abuse dished out to Lennon and admitted he amazed that he’s lasted so long.

He added: “It’s a terrible way to live your life, a cloud over your head 24/7 that can burst at any time. I know there have been other players who have been subjected to abuse in the past. But nothing to the level Neil has. A target has been painted on his back.

“I’ve been there. It’s intimidating, you don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m surprised that I’ve not had a call saying Neil has retaliated, because it’s non-stop.

“Some people argue the footballers have luxury lifestyles and therefore should put up with all the baggage and invasion into their private lives.

“But is it right, for example, that at Christmas he was at a pantomime and was given a volley of abuse from three generations of women?

“At Nottingham Forest it was bliss. He could walk down the street without any grief at all. Frankly, south of the border they’re baffled by the whole situation.”

Lennon was taking in the League Cup semi-final last Saturday with Hoops coach Gary Parker and team physio Tim Williamson when trouble flared. The Parkhead party eventually had to be escorted out of the ground by security staff when things got out of hand.

Afterwards, Lennon hinted he could even bring an end to his career in Scottish football.

He said: “Maybe you need to look at something in your life if you can’t go to a game and enjoy it when you’re out working.”

Reilly was appalled by the incident. He added: “Part of Neil’s job is to go and watch the opposition, it’s not unreasonable to expect to be able to do that safely. Do any other coaches and managers get that sort of treatment while scouting?

“If this had been another manager in the directors’ box at Parkhead, Celtic would have been hauled over the coals for it.

“Neil’s not a quitter, he’s not going to walk away, because he loves his job and Celtic. And you can’t let the bullies win. If you do walk away, the issue just gets swept under the carpet until the next time. Is that what we really want?

“When you’ve handled it for 14 years, I’d say he can deal with it. Neil has spent more time in Scotland than anywhere else. His fianc is Scottish and so is his son.

“Despite everything he has a strong affection for the place. It’s never too late for things to change. Do I think it will? I can’t honestly be sure. But more people right across the spectrum have to stand up and be counted in order for this to be dealt with.”

Yesterday Lennon slammed those who claim he brings it on himself.

Hitting back he said: “I think there’s a total imbalance in the way I’m treated and the way other people, personalities in the game or celebrities in the game, are treated. I’m confrontational, controversial, a street fighter who looks after himself? Rubbish. It’s absolute rubbish.”

He added: “The portrayal is wrong. And I want it stopped now because it’s not doing me any favours.”

Last week’s incident at Tyncastle was not the first time Lennon had been attacked at the Edinburgh ground.

In May 2011, Hearts fan John Wilson ran onto the pitch and confronted the former Northern Ireland player. The 26-year-old was prosecuted for his actions but cleared of assault after a jury at Edinburgh Sheriff Court found the case against him not proven. Wilson was however found guilty of breach of the peace for shouting and swearing at Lennon.

Sentencing Wilson to eight months Sheriff Fiona Reith said: “In this case the breach of the peace was not minor, it was serious, and with serious potential consequences in the context of what was already a highly volatile atmosphere in the crowd of over 16,000 supporters.”

In May 2003 two students were fined for attacking him on Great Western Road. A year later, threatening graffiti was daubed outside his home and he was the victim of road rage on the M8 motorway.

Then in September 2008, he was treated in hospital after being attacked in Glasgow’s Ashton Lane, hours after the opening Old Firm game of the season. At Glasgow Sheriff Court in January 2009 two men were each jailed for two years for the “brutal and cowardly” attack.

In April 2012 Trevor Muirhead, 44, and Neil McKenzie, 43, were jailed for five years for conspiring to assault Lennon, former MSP Trish Godman and the late QC Paul McBride.