Martin O'Neill defends Celtic pal Neil Lennon as 'stabbed me in the front' fury comes after his own reminder to players

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has backed Neil Lennon after he said former team-mates had "stabbed me in the front". Lennon left Parkhead in February last year and now manages Omonia in Cyprus.But last week he revealed there are some former Hoops pals whom he shared a pitch with that he no longer talks to after criticism of his second managerial stint in Glasgow's east end.O'Neill managed Lennon as he was part of the squad that made the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville and he insists he's right behind the Irishman – after telling some of his old charges to be careful when they embark on their punditry careers.

He told PLZ : "I mentioned to a couple of the players about that. "I know everybody has to make a living in this life after football or if you happen to still be involved in the punditry aspect or whatever the case may be."But that can be very hurtful indeed, particularly people you know you've sat in the dressing room, cajoled and encouraged. "You've been encouraged by these people as well and don't get me wrong, Neil Lennon was a big leader, he might not have been captain too often in my time at Leicester or Celtic, but he was essentially captain in everything but the word. "He was a big leader in the team so that's really disappointing."