NEIL LENNON insists Scott Brown has “nothing to defend himself for” after being being charged by the SFA following the fracas at the end of Celtic’s 2-1 win over Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at the weekend.
The SFA have cited the Hoops skipper for “not acting in the best interests of Association Football”, as CQN reported yesterday.
Both clubs have also have been charged over a mass confrontation of players following the final whistle that saw a melee develop in front of the main stand.
However, interim gaffer Lennon said his players were “absolutely exemplary under immense provocation”.
The Govan outfit’s Alfredo Morelos, Andy Halliday and Ryan Kent have all been suspended for their actions while rookie manager Gerrard has accepted a one-game touchline ban and will be in the Fir Park stand when his side play Motherwell on Sunday afternoon.
Brown, who was involved in all three incidents with the Ibrox trio, has been accused of breaching a rule that states players, coaches and officials should “act in the best interests of football”.
WHACK…Scott Brown is punched in the face by Ryan Kent who copped a two-game ban for his assault.
Lennon, speaking on Celtic TV, said: “Scott Brown has nothing to defend himself for. I think that his treatment on the pitch was nothing short of disgraceful.
“He’s been elbowed, he’s been hit in the face.
“But he takes it, he stands up to it and comes back for more. And that’s the character of the man.
“So, you get the usual nonsense and trying to put the same eggs in one basket. We’re totally exempt from any blame from this whatsoever.”
Celtic and Brown could be celebrating at the weekend, though, with the club’s eighth consecutive title success within touching distance.
The champions face Livingston in the east end of Glasgow tomorrow afternoon where a victory will push them 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership.
The Govan side travel to Motherwell 24 hours later and a defeat will hand the championship crown once again to the Parkhead men.
