Celtic boss Neil Lennon warns SFA of 'storm coming'

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has vowed to report any swearing he hears in the technical area to the Scottish FA.

Lennon will not contest a three-game ban that was triggered by his use of offensive language but warns there is "a storm coming" after his punishment.

"If I hear a manager swearing in the technical area I will phone the SFA on Monday and complain about them," explained Lennon.

"I'll sit my ban out but what's coming for the SFA? It's a storm coming."

Lennon was found guilty of using offensive language towards St Mirren skipper Jim Goodwin during a match in Paisley on 31 March.

No sanction was issued for the breach of disciplinary rule 203 but a suspended three-game ban from last season was applied.

Referring to Thursday's disciplinary hearing at Hampden, Lennon said: "It's four hours of my life I'll never get back, a complete waste of time and effort and sums up a lot of football in this country.

"It was petty and narrow-minded, and I'm embarrassed for the SFA."

A statement from Celtic condemning the verdict, suggested that the case had been brought against Lennon following two complaints and labelled the SFA's disciplinary system "absurd".

Television microphones had picked up Lennon's side of a verbal exchange with Goodwin.

Lennon added: "Do I think swearing is acceptable in the dugout? Yes, how are you going to stop it? It's used every day in all environments.

"That sort of language is used in every game. I'm not condoning it but it is an instinctive reaction.

"It's opened a huge can of worms for the SFA.

"Why all of a sudden are we sanitising the game? If that's the case every player will be booked or sent off, we'll be playing five-a-side football!

"It's so pedantic, so petty. Anytime you see a manager swearing is he going to be brought up in front of them now?

"It's a passionate reaction, the same way when you score a goal you shout 'ya beauty!'.

"There was a fourth-official stood six feet away and he didn't feel I did anything wrong, so I still think it is bizarre that on the strength of two complaints, from a game that was televised all around Britain and which maybe had 500,000 people watching that the SFA decided to take this on.

"And why are they bringing the case up on two complaints? If it was one hundred or two hundred I'd understand.

"I've no idea if I was a test case, ask the SFA. I don't know why they picked me."