The Daily Record today apologised over an ‘inflammatory” and “highly irresponsible” headline published in the build-up to Celtic’s game against Rangers on the weekend.
The paper conceded Saturday’s back page headline “Who’s More Hated at Ibrox (is it Lennon or the Taxman?)” ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm match was a ‘misjudgement”.
Rangers are currently being investigated by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in two tax cases, and Lennon received bomb threats last season.
On Saturday, Celtic issued a statement saying: ‘Clearly, given the year Neil Lennon and his family have experienced – with bombs, bullets, death threats and physical assaults – this kind of reporting is inflammatory, highly irresponsible and quite simply offensive.
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‘For this newspaper to treat the matter in this insensitive and ill-judged manner is astonishing.”
The club also said it would no longer cooperate with journalists from the paper.
In today’s apology the Record, which is owned by Trinity Mirror, admitted that the headline had ’caused dismay and anger and it was wrong”, adding: ‘We apologise for any offence this may have caused Neil Lennon, his family and also supporters.
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‘The Daily Record has a history of condemning intolerance in all its forms. Our headline was a misjudgement and it was not intended to stoke up feelings ahead of yesterday’s match.”
It is not known whether Celtic is still refusing to cooperate with the Record following its apology. The club was contacted for comment but had not replied at the time of publication.
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