Rodgers attack Lennon

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers stressed the need for safety in stadiums after Hibernian coach Neil Lennon was hit by a play at the Edinburgh derby.

Former Parkhead coach and midfielder Lennon was hit in the throat during the 0-0 draw at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, shortly after Hearts canceled a timed goal.

Jambo goaltender Zdenek Zlamal said he was struck by a fan, while two badistant referees Frank Connor and David McGeachie were also hit by objects.

Rodgers, appointed director of the Premiership of the month of October, said he is concerned about the incidents. Addressing today 's visit to Hearts' leaders, he said: "I have seen some images. It' s not nice to see a coworker manager do it. hit by a coin.

"The pbadion of football here is fantastic, you go to these fields and there is a real intense atmosphere in many of them, but it can never be reversed.

"To see the actions of both groups of supporters was disappointing.

& # 39; & # 39; There must be a safe environment, whether you are a player or a manager, so that you can go to work.

"The respective clubs have issued their statement, which shows their solidarity and hope that it will not happen again."

"I'm pretty bad too, but I'm very focused on the game." It's neither good nor bad, it's just my way of doing things, the other managers are different.

"But in the end, you must be able to work without threatening to be hit with a coin or a punch."

Lennon supported the statement of his agent Martin Reilly that he is currently targeted for abuse in Scotland because he is an Irish Catholic who has played for Celtic.

Rodgers, himself Catholic of Northern Ireland, said, "This is not something I really want to get in. I can understand what Martin is saying.

"But whatever your religion, you should not be subject to that.

"I've been here for two and a half years and it's a great place to work and live.

"There are really genuine people here, very pbadionate about the game. I loved my life here.

"But it can not go beyond the mark, you come to a football field, you do a professional job, you want intensity, pbadion, but you have to be protected as a player and a manager."

Celtic beat Hearts 3-0 in the Betfred Cup semifinal last Sunday and can go to a Jambo point with a win today.