LENNON: I COULDN'T COPE WITH VLAD CIRCUS

NEIL LENNON last night accused Vladamir Romanov of turning Hearts into a CIRCUS.

The Celtic skipper has been left bemused by the goings-on at Hearts - including the use of alternative therapists Rima and Pyjama Man - and admits he would find it hard to cope with the bizarre events at Tynecastle.

Speaking ahead of Celtic's visit to Tynecastle, Lennon said: "The Hearts players have been a credit to themselves.

"If I had been in that camp I wouldn't have been happy at all with the way things are going on. It's been one sort of circus after another.

"They've done well to keep going when you look at the way the team has been picked from week to week.

"If I was a big player in their dressing room and looked at the team against Hibs last week, I would have questioned it and asked what the motives were behind the changes.

"But it's not my place. I'm not a Hearts player. However, it would knock the wind out of you a bit, especially when you're going for something as important as a Champions League place.

"I always felt a good chairman was one you never really saw. May be that's a bit old fashioned.

"I know Romanov has been really good for Hearts in terms of the progress they've made on the pitch and bringing in quality players but other events have taken something away from the players and what they've achieved. It's taken the shine off them a bit."

Hearts' title challenge was effectively ended with Celtic's incredible fightback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Tynecastle on New Year's Day

However, Lennon has been impressed with Steven Pressley and his players, although he doesn't buy into the theory that Hearts would have won the title if there had been less unrest behind the scenes.

He said: "There was a lot of hype about them at the start of the season and to win all those games in a row was some going. I did think they would maybe hang in there.

"But I didn't think they would maintain the performance levels A lot of Hearts fans say they would have been champions if they had kept George Burley but I dispute that.

"It's a marathon, not a sprint. Maybe if George had been there the gap would have been smaller but I still think we would have won the title.

"I would expect Hearts to challenge next season but their players will want a bit of consistency. I know I would.

"It can be unsettling if players get on well with the coach, they are performing well and then all of a sudden he gets sacked for no reason - like George was."

Lennon has heard all the wild conspiracy theories about why Celtic wouldn't want to beat Hearts tomorrow but he insists there's no chance of his side taking things easy.

The skipper will meet chief executive Peter Lawwell next Wednesday to talk about a one-year deal and he doesn't want to sign another Celtic contract after a defeat.

Lennon said: "We don't want to lose any match. It's as simple as that.

"We want to go there and put a spanner in their works. I would like to go unbeaten against them this season.

That's a real incentive for us."

Taken from the Daily Record