Celtic manager Neil Lennon has jumped to the defence of Rangers midfielder Ian Black after he was jeered playing for Scotland at Easter Road on Wednesday.

The former Hearts man was back in Edinburgh for the first time since joining Rangers and was a late and controversial call up to the national side by Craig Levein.

Lennon said "It was uncalled for. The kid was making his debut. Part of it is probably banter with the Hibs fans but still, it was a very big day for him and a special moment for him.

"I don't want to make too much of it, I was booed myself but for different reasons obviously, but it is not nice and hopefully that will be the first and last of it.

"I think he is a strong character and listening to his comments after the game he was still very positive.

"With the venue being where it was, there was maybe always a chance that he might take a bit of stick anyway.

"I think if the venue was either Hampden or (elsewhere in) Glasgow, I don't think that scenario would have popped up."

Lennon added: "I got booed everywhere - I got booed in the house. We all know the reasons behind that, because he (Black) was a Hearts player for so long and he was a bit of a rascal as it were - and there is nothing wrong with that - and he rubbed people up the wrong way.

"The majority of those fans at the game wouldn't have been Glasgow Rangers fans, Celtic fans or Inverness fans, the majority of them were probably at Easter Road to give him a bit of stick."

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