Neil Lennon last night slammed the hooligans who lobbed a firecracker onto the pitch as St Mirren boss Oran Kearney admitted he thought of walking his team off.
The Celtic boss was left disgusted after the shameful incident which marred his team’s 2-0 triumph.
Goals from Timothy Weah and Ryan Christie moved the champions to within two wins of an eighth-straight title, but the victory was ruined by late incident when the object thrown from the away section behind Saints keeper Vaclav Hladky boomed with such force that the shaken home No.1 required treatment.
Christie was also left shuddering after the blast and Lennon raged: “I don’t understand why people want to do that. There is no logic in it.
St Mirren 0 Celtic 2 as Ryan Christie sends Hoops one step closer to title
“Why does an individual want to bring that to a game? It doesn’t impress anyone, it doesn’t add anything.
“It just damages people and it could have damaged a player.
“The health and safety of the players is paramount and it didn’t just spook the St Mirren keeper, but some of our players, too.
“Ryan was also spooked and the goalie could have burst an ear drum.
“It damages the reputation of the good fans we have and we just don’t want it.
“It serves no purpose in a football ground. I don’t see the motivation for anyone to bring a flashbang or pyrotechnic into a stadium.
“It serves no purpose whatsoever. The club have made a real stand in condemning at times.
Neil Lennon clears Celtic skipper Scott Brown of blame but hits out at firework yob
“It’s just totally uncalled for at a time when we should be enjoying football and, hopefully, having a big celebration in a week or two.”
Kearney was pleased the incident did not turn out more sinister and seriously damage his No.1.
But Irishman confessed he considered drastic action as he explained: “We’d used all our substitutes by then and it’s crazy to think we might have had to use an outfield player in goal as a result of that.
“You’re tempted to walk your team off the pitch.
“Vaclav’s okay and we’re just thankful that it wasn’t more sinister. I was standing 50-60 yards away and it made me jump, so I dread to think how loud it would have been for him.
“I thought he might have to come off, which isn’t ideal. The easy thing for me to do is to make a massive thing out of it and try to deflect from our position, but it is a big deal and it needs to be addressed.
“The players have a duty of care when they go out there, but it’s the same for the fans.”
Away from the incident, Lennon was pleased with the win, but not overly thrilled with the performance and especially annoyed at Olivier Ntcham’s missed penalty.
The Frenchman’s flop was the fifth spot-kick missed the Hoops this term and he said: “The penalty would have put us in cruise control at 2-0. Missing five isn’t good enough.
“We had quality chances and, if there is any criticism, it’s that we didn’t win by a bigger margin as we were in total control, but we are two wins away now.
“There is a frustration at times in terms of how we play, but there are things I can’t change and don’t want to change right now.
“Ryan brings a lot to the team. There was spark, creativity and a bit pizzazz. He makes things happen and his enthusiasm gave us a big lift.”
Lennon confirmed Dedryck Boyata is set to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury and also paid tribute to Celtic staff member of 30 years Angie Thomson, who passed away this week.
He said: “Angie was very special for my generation of players and the players I managed. She fought so bravely for the best part of two years and she will be sorely missed.”
