Popular former Rangers star and Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday has criticised those Celtic fans who disgraced themselves in protest against Parkhead manager and club legend Neil Lennon.
Halliday was talking after violent protests following the club’s 2-0 Betfred Cup defeat to Ross County which ended a run of 35 cup games without defeat.
The incident even drew the ire of Celtic’s own board who released a stinging statement condemning the “violent scenes” which took place over the weekend.
Even Rangers fans were taken aback by the meltdown, and Halliday has openly criticised the behaviour of those fans who have reacted like this with the Celtic boss.
“Neil Lennon was basically born on the other side of the road from me,” said Halliday [Open Goal].
“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.”
Halliday, 29, insists that his comments were not designed to “wind anyone up” and were simply his own thoughts on the madness which ensued on Sunday night.
Despite the violent clashes, Celtic have announced they’ll be sticking with manager Neil Lennon with Rangers fans generally quite encouraged by the news.
