Hibs boss Neil Lennon hit with three match ban following ‘aeroplane’ celebration against Rangers

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

HIBERNIAN head coach Neil Lennon will be banned from the dugout for the first three Premiership fixtures of next season as punishment for his ‘aeroplane’ celebration against Rangers.

The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to a breach of disciplinary rule 203, which states ‘no member of team staff shall commit misconduct at a match’, at a Hampden hearing on Thursday.

An independent judicial panel doled out a one-match suspension for the offence at Easter Road on May 13, which saw an elated Lennon hare onto the field of play in the aftermath of Jamie Maclaren’s injury-time equaliser in a 5-5 draw against the Gers.

Referee Bobby Madden failed to see the funny side of the scenes, sending Lennon to the stands before Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan subsequently dished out a notice of complaint.

Lennon also had a suspended two-game ban hanging over his head following his angry rant at referee Kevin Clancy during Hibs’ 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock in February. That was applied following yesterday’s verdict.

With Hibs not involved in the Betfred Cup group phase due to their Europa League participation, it means Lennon will be in the stands for the top-flight clashes against Motherwell, St Johnstone and Aberdeen.