Thompson: Lennon to bide his time

Neil Lennon is likely to consider his future as Celtic boss in the summer, according to first-team coach Alan Thompson.

The former Hoops captain has been given 24-hour surveillance at his home and was accompanied to training by a security officer on Friday after a suspicious package addressed to him was intercepted at a Royal Mail sorting office. The item turned out to be a hoax, Celtic confirmed.

Thompson told Scottish morning newspapers: "We're in three domestic competitions, which we're delighted with, so I would be very surprised if anything happened between now and the end of the season. I think it will be something he will sit down and look at in the summer."

Lennon received bullets in the post earlier this season, and the latest incident occurred in the wake of Wednesday night's controversial Scottish Cup fifth-round replay win over Rangers.

The Irishman clashed with Ibrox assistant manager Ally McCoist at the end of Celtic's 1-0 home win, which saw three visiting players red-carded.

Thompson added:: "His family are first and foremost - both in Scotland, his partner Irene and his little boy Gallagher, as well as his mum, dad and sisters back home.

"Only Neil and his family can make that decision but I'd be surprised if he goes anywhere in the next nine or 10 weeks.

"He's got strong people around him.

"I'm sure the chief executive [Peter Lawwell], [major shareholder] Dermot Desmond, the rest of us around him and his family, will back him."