Lennon attacks see Kennedy tribute match postponed

Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

GLASGOW (AFP) - Attacks on Celtic manager Neil Lennon have led to the postponement of a tribute match for former player John Kennedy.

The match for Kennedy, forced to retire through a knee injury, had been scheduled to be played at Parkhead on Sunday.

But the game, due to feature members of the current first team squad and players from the Celtic side that reached the 2003 UEFA Cup final, will now take place on a date yet to be arranged.

Lennon, the target of parcel bombs and who had bullets sent to him through the post, was attacked by a fan while standing on the touchline at Hearts' Tynecastle ground in Edinburgh last week.

As a result, the former Northern Ireland midfielder, who will lead Celtic in the Scottish Cup final against Motherwell at Hampden on Saturday, has been given police protection.

A representative of Kennedy's testimonial committee told Celtic's official website on Monday: "The committee is very sensitive to everything that has gone on around the club and, in particular, the manager in recent weeks.

"Therefore, we felt it would be best to reschedule the match for a more appropriate time.

"We thank the many supporters who have already committed to the game and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience. Please be assured the club will provide full refunds.

"We hope the Celtic support will understand this was a difficult decision but we feel it's the correct one for all concerned in the current circumstances.

"We look forward to announcing the new details in due course and staging the match when we can celebrate the great contribution to Celtic made by John Kennedy, (former manager) Martin O'Neill and a host of Celtic legends."

Celtic were pipped to the Scottish Premier League title by just a point by arch-rivals Rangers on Sunday after both Glasgow clubs won their final league games of the season.