Celtic manager Neil Lennon has hit back at an article in a Scottish newspaper about defender Jeremie Frimpong, The Scotsman reports.
The Scottish Sun ran a story earlier in the week about a potential love interest of the Celtic star visiting him in Scotland, which drew immediate backlash from many online Celtic supporters due to the content and tone of the piece.
The outlet deleted the initial tweet promoting the story.
Lennon wasn’t any happier with it all and reckons the timing is strange.
He told The Scotsman: “It’s a non-story. Jerry didn’t break any rules. I have to question the timing of the story because we were aware of it a few weeks ago.
“Since then he has had about half a dozen tests where he has been negative. Why the story has come out today is beyond me.
“We talk to the players on a weekly basis about what they can’t do. It’s not easy for them, especially ones who are living on their own. There is pressure enough playing football.
“Having to be restricted in your movements can be difficult for them. But it’s just something that we have to adhere to until things start to get better.”
This has been an immensely difficult year for the Celtic players and it’s unfortunate to see media outlets probing into their personal lives.
Frimpong is still a teenager and doesn’t need that kind of nonsense.
As Lennon notes, he hasn’t broken any rules and the negative tabloid gossip appears to have only dredged up a bit of drama.
At a time when football is under the microscope and players from other clubs are breaching guidelines, it’s not necessary.
The manager is perfectly correct to defend his player and bring into question the timing of it all.
In other news, Mohamed Elyounoussi is fully focused on Celtic despite comments from Southampton.
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