Lennon reveals Celtic pain

Neil Lennon admits he was left bewildered by his substitution in his last match for Celtic.

The 35-year-old midfielder skippered The Hoops to the league and cup double in his seventh and final season at Celtic Park, before moving to Nottingham Forest this summer. 

But Strachan controversially decided to substitute his captain with 20 minutes left of the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline, which The Bhoys went on to win 1-0.

Despite emerging from the dressing room to lift the trophy, the former Leicester City star has spoken of the pain the decision caused him.

"I must admit I was disappointed with the substitution," Lennon told the Daily Record. "I would be lying if I said anything else.

"It wasn't as if I was raging, or running about the dressing room kicking things around. I was just sad. Gutted in fact.

"I just couldn't understand his decision. It wasn't anything to do with the fact this was my last game. The whole 'Neil Lennon Cup Final' didn't wash with me in the first place. I didn't call it that - I've always been a team player - and I felt uncomfortable with it.

"All I wanted was to win the cup and go out with a double and I simply didn't understand why it was my number that came up."

But Lennon has dismissed suggestions of a rift with coach Strachan, who he has the utmost respect for.

"I've heard people say it looked like a spiteful decision but I don't agree with that for a minute. I don't think Gordon is like that," he added.

"He makes decisions he thinks are in the best interests of the team. It's all about how he sees it. Whether the players like it or not has nothing to do with it."