Neil Lennon in shock referee confession as ex Celtic boss claims Cypriot Final fury was premeditated

Former Celtic and Hibs boss Neil Lennon says he planned to give the Cypriot Cup final referee both barrels after a poor showpiece display left him dismayed.

Despite playing 116 of their 120 minutes with 10 men due to Shehu Abdullahi's early red card, Omonia Nicosia prevailed 5-4 penalty shootout victors after a 0-0 draw with Ethnikos Achna.

Lennon took over as boss in Cyprus back in March and has guided them to their first trophy in this competition since 2012.

It's his first job since leaving Celtic last year following their failed bid for 10 Premiership titles in succession.

It's a big deal for the 2021 Championship winners as it books a Europa League play-off spot, which guarantees European football until Christmas in the Europa Conference League group stages at least.

Lennon was sent off for his protests with the match official and after handing the penalty takers order to assistant Garry Parker, went off on one as his team eventually claimed glory.

He told Sportsound: "I got sent off in the 119th minute. I said to Garry Parker that it was going to penalties and handed him our list. He asked where I was going and I said 'I'm giving it to this guy.'

"It was totally pre-planned. Then their bench started chirping up.

"They played against 10 men for 116 minutes so they had nothing to complain to the referee about!

"Then he found three minutes of stoppage time in injury time. My head just went after that so I had choice words for the referee. But there is a problem with them here.

"My goalkeeping coach has been sent off seven times, but it's quite a regular things for coaches to be sent off. They are so pedantic and make the Scottish referees look brilliant."