BlueMeanie
Well-Known Member
ANDY HALLIDAY blasted the Celtic fans who called for Neil Lennon's head outside Parkhead on Sunday night.
And the midfielder claims Rangers supporters would NEVER have abused a club legend - or even current boss Steven Gerrard.
Thousands of angry Hoops punters descended on the stadium following the shock Betfred Cup humbling at the hands of Ross County, with some troublemakers rioting with cops, leaving three officers injured.
Fans chanted 'Lennon get to f***' and players required a police escort to leave the ground safely, which led to Celtic condemning their own supporters' behaviour.
Peter Lawwell last night released a statement backing under-fire Lenny and urged the seething Parkhead faithful to do the same.
But Halliday reckons the way Lennon has been treated by protesting supporters is out of order and claims similar scenes would never have taken place on the other side of the city.
The former Ibrox midfielder told Open Goal: "Neil Lennon was basically born on the other side of the road from me.
"He was born into a green family.
"He's had an affiliation with the fans as a player, as a coach, basically his full life.
"He's as big a Celtic fan as you're going to get at the club just now including players.
"I've no doubt that he's hurting equally as much, probably MORE than some of the fans that were standing outside that stadium.
"I just don't think that's how you treat a Celtic legend, I really don't.
"See if it was the other side of the road and that was Barry Ferguson, John Greig or Ally McCoist as Rangers manager, that's not happening.
"See when Steven Gerrard got knocked out in the cup semi last year or lost at home to Hamilton, and the league was basically done and they were out the cups, that never happened.
"There weren't any fans, especially not with those scenes. Throwing things at motors and smashing down barricades... what are you getting from that?
"And the fact is, it's actually a lockdown.
"The way I see it is, this is the 21st century. See when people go on social media and see 20 people at Celtic Park, they'll say, 'Come on and we'll go down.'
"That's just what social media does now. It's that sort of mob mentality that when you see a big crowd gathering somewhere you'll say 'come on and we'll go.'
"Neil Lennon will be gutted, I don't think there's any doubt about it. Celtic fans have vented their frustration in the wrong way in my opinion."
Hearts star Halliday added: "I'm genuinely not trying to wind anyone up. There were Celtic fans telling me two weeks ago that they are not worried?
"But now two weeks later the players are spineless and cowards and get to' f*** out the club' and all that.
"It doesn't make any sense to me."