Police Play Down Old Firm Complaint

Strathclyde Police and Celtic have played down a complaint relating to a gesture made by Hoops boss Neil Lennon at the end of the final Old Firm derby.

The police indicated they would not be following up the complaint as officers in attendance witnessed Lennon's gesture - which involved the Northern Irishman cupping his ears as he left the field - and did not take any action at the time.

A spokeswoman for the police said: ``We can confirm we have received a complaint regarding Neil Lennon at the end of the Rangers-Celtic football match.

``Strathclyde Police officers were in attendance at the time and would have taken action at that time if they had deemed it appropriate.''

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: ``It is absolute nonsense.

``It is laughable that such a ludicrous complaint has been made given the abuse Neil received throughout the match.

``It tells you more about those making the complaint than it does about Neil.''

When the gesture was mentioned after the game, Lennon said: ``Don't ask me about that.

``It's called humour, all right?

``Don't distract away from my team's performance. Don't even write about it.

``You have the photographs, I'm sure, but it is just a bit of fun.

``I don't want to distract from my team's performance today.''

Nine people were arrested at the game but none of the crimes were linked to sectarianism, police said.

Six arrests were made in the ground, with another three immediately outside.

A spokesperson for Strathclyde Police added that all arrests were for ``minor offences'' such as being drunk inside the stadium and breach of the peace.