Celtic manager Neil Lennon has defended Beram Kayal in the wake of their 1-0 Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Bhoys boss insists midfielder did not duck Turan's shot
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has defended Beram Kayal in the wake of their 1-0 Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid.
It appeared as though the Israel midfielder appeared to duck to avoid Arda Turan's 25-yard drive that beat Fraser Forster.
The goal decided the outcome at Parkhead, leaving Celtic needing to win in Udinese to continue their progress in the Europa League.
Misjudged
"Again, as I said last night, I think he just misjudged the flight (of the ball)," said Lennon.
"Beram doesn't duck out of anything so to accuse him of that is ridiculous. I don't know if these people actually see Beram play.
"He is one of the bravest players I've seen for quite a while and he puts his body on the line for the club and the team more often than not.
"I doubt it very much (if Beram feels bad). He was one of our best players last night and one of the best midfielders on show."
Well-grounded
Criticism of Kayal came on the same day that the 23-year-old was quoted as saying that Celtic were better than arch-rivals Rangers.
Lennon believes Kayal is a well-grounded individual and does not believe he set out to antagonise anyone over his comment.
"Whether they are genuine comments or misconstrued or not, I don't know but I am not going to berate Beram for doing an interview and for people to then put their own slant on it," he continued.
"The headlines were par for the course. I'm not too sure he meant all of that.
"What he meant was he believes we have good players and a good team but we have to go out and prove that. I'm quite comfortable with Beram.
"I don't think he is that sort of lad to come out and boast about things or taunt people or anything like that, he is a well-grounded individual.
"I think some people are putting a little salt and vinegar on the story."
