Lennon backs Griffiths after striker throws tape into crowd

Griffiths was on the score sheet at Rugby Park but responded to abuse from the crowd.

Lennon backs Griffiths after striker throws tape into crowd

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has backed “top class” Leigh Griffiths after the striker was involved in a fracas following the Hoops’ win at Rugby Park.

Griffiths was seen appearing to throw a bit of tape from his socks towards the Kilmarnock fans after being taken off late in the Premiership clash.

But Neil Lennon came out in defence of the 29-year-old who he says was being targeted with “unsavoury” abuse before the incident.

He said: “Leigh was getting a lot of unsavoury abuse that was completely uncalled for and he was backed up by myself and his team mates on the bench.

“I thought his behaviour tonight was exemplary and at times we take uncalled for abuse.

“He didn’t do anything wrong, people can try and blow it up to whatever they want but it was nothing.

“He always seems to have controversy following him but I will back him to the hilt on this one, his behaviour was top class as was his performance.

“He threw a bit of tape on the ground, I don’t know how you can say he threw it at anybody.

“For me there is nothing in it at all, and if there is something going to be made of it then I will be at the front of the queue to back him up.”

The Scotland forward scored his second goal in as many games after starting up top with Odsonne Edouard.

Edouard also scored as did fellow Frenchman Christopher Jullien as the Champions ran out 3-1 winners.

With Rangers beating St Mirren 1-0 at Ibrox, thanks to a goal from Jermain Defoe, Celtic retain their two-point lead at the top of the league.

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