YOU'RE THE SPITS

RAGING Rudi Skacel last night hit back at Celtic captain Neil Lennon as the fallout from Sunday's Tynecastle spitting row rumbled on.

The Czech star issued a carefully-worded statement in which he denied the allegations made by Lennon.

He was reacting after the furious Parkhead skipper described Skacel as a "disgrace" and "the lowest of the low", claiming the Hearts midfielder spat in his direction following a clash between them during the second half of the game.

But Record Sport understands Skacel was livid when told of Lennon's accusations and told Hearts chiefs there was no truth in them.

He had wanted to come out with a stronger denial but club officials decided that wasn't the best course of action.

Their statement read: "Rudi strenuously denies any of the reported allegations made by Neil Lennon.

"The player is deeply offended and is furious at the associated implication of these remarks.

"Having played a key role in the comprehensive victory over Celtic, Rudi refuses to be distracted and is concentrating fully on the club's important game this Wednesday evening against Aberdeen."

But Lennon was equally resolute and did not hold back with his astonishing attack on Skacel.

Television pictures failed to clearly show whether he was spat at but the Celtic captain did turn back and react when he believed something flew past his shoulder after the pair had been involved in a challenge. This isn't the first time Skacel has been at the centre of a spitting controversy. He was accused of the same thing after a match at Dundee United earlier in the season.

An unrepentant Lennon said: "Skacel spat at me - no doubt about it. I was walking away and it flew past my shoulder. I understand the TV pictures didn't catch it but he definitely spat at me and that is why I turned around and reacted the way I did.

"He is a total disgrace and it's not the first time he has done it since he moved to Scotland. I've been involved in plenty of Old Firm games, heated matches, but never had to deal with anything like this. The guy is the lowest of the low."

Asked about the incident immediately after the match, Skacel said: "It was a game of football and sometimes it gets a bit emotional. Maybe he was a bit angry as his team were 3-0 down - it was just one of those things."

Lennon said: "That's funny because the scoreline was still 2-0 at the time and that had nothing to do with what happened.

"I went in and won the ball, the pictures clearly show me moving up the park as Skacel is getting up from the ground, and I then turn around and confront him after the spit has flown over my shoulder."

Taken from the Daily Record