SOCCER:NEIL LENNON is yet to consider the contingency plan for Celtic should his appeal against a six-match touchline ban fail.

The Celtic manager made his last scheduled appearance in the dugout in the 3-0 win at Hibernian yesterday which consolidated Celtic’s lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table.

Lennon was his usual animated self in the visiting technical area at Easter Road, despite the presence of two officials who have angered him in recent months – referee Craig Thomson and fourth official Willie Collum. Lennon had no complaints with the officiating as Anthony Stokes scored twice, his first from the penalty spot, after the returning Gary Hooper netted the opener one minute before half-time. But he is yet to discuss with his assistants Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson what will happen if he is banished to the stand. “We haven’t really sat down to talk about it yet,” he said.

The victory meant Celtic ended a difficult week on a high.

Lennon – one of three intended targets to receive bullets in the post, along with fellow Northern Irishmen Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt – is appealing the six-match touchline ban imposed after he was sent to the stand by Thomson during a defeat by Hearts in November. The imminent ban did not prevent Lennon from branding the performance of referee Collum as “not good enough” in the 1-1 draw at Hamilton on Wednesday night.

Lennon’s comments may be the subject of discussion at the Scottish Football Association’s general purposes committee meeting today and it is possible he could face further censure.

As for the appeal, Lennon is unaware of its progress.“It’s in the process and in the hands in the legal team – I’ll probably know more early next week.”

Celtic are five points clear of Rangers who have three games in hand, beginning with tomorrow’s clash against Inverness.