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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Neil Lennon's Celtic press conference in full as boss sends Lazio safety message to fans

Neil Lennon has urged fans to stay safe in Rome after the Foreign Office warned supporters not to wear Celtic colours in the Italian capital next month.

A large travelling contingent are expected to descend on the Eternal City for the Europa League clash on Thursday, November 7.

Celtic triumphed 2-1 over the Serie A giants at Parkhead last week to sit top of Group E.

During the victory, Ultras group the Green Brigade displayed multiple banners aimed at visiting fans after a section were filmed making disgraceful fascist salutes while walking down Glasgow's Buchanan Street before kick-off.

One message read "f**k you Lazio" in Italian while another depicted fascist dictator Benito Mussolini being hanged, which drew a response from his granddaughter Alessandra Mussolini.

(SNS Group)

Another message was then aimed at her amid Celtic's 4-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.

The anti-fascist displays followed Lazio being punished by UEFA on charges of racism for supporters making similarly vile gestures during their side's win over Rennes earlier in October.

The Curva Nord section of the Stadio Olimpico will be shut for Celtic's visit and the Foreign Office have now recommended travelling fans do not wear club colours in the Italian capital.

Lennon hopes the focus can remain on football when the two sides meet again following a laudable Celtic performance last time out.

(SNS Group)

He said: "I just hope our fans go, enjoy the game and come home safely.

"Like I said before the game last week, I hope we're talking about the football and that was certainly the case after Thursday.

"I'm just hoping for more of the same. Simone Inzaghi was very complimentary about the experience he had at Celtic Park, the quality of the game and of our side.

"I can only echo that in terms of what his side brought to the game as well.

"So, I'm looking hopefully for more of the same and that we're talking about the game."

You can watch the Celtic boss' full press conference via the video player above.

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