Oliver Burke left Celtic this summer to return to West Bromwich Albion, his parent club.
Neil Lennon has rubbished suggestions that he treated Oliver Burke poorly during his time at Celtic.
Burke returned to parent club West Bromwich Albion this summer after a disappointing half-season loan with the Scottish Premiership champions.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a fast-and-furious start to life at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers and a permanent deal looked very enticing, but his form took a nose dive once Neil Lennon replaced Rodgers in February.
The Scotland winger found himself on the fringes of Lennon’s plans, and didn’t score in any of his eight appearances under the Northern Irishman, having netted four in his first 10 games under Rodgers.
West Brom director Luke Dowling slated the Hoops boss last week and insinuated that the ‘treatment’ that Burke received from him was less than ideal.
But Lennon is adamant that, if anything, he treated the former Leipzig and Nottingham Forest star better than other players last season.
He told Sky Sports: “He played a lot of games. In hindsight, maybe I was too good in treating him too well at times, compared to the rest of the group.”
Burke, who earns £30,000 per week at Albion [Silly Season], is probably better off away from Celtic. It was clear that Lennon, from very early on, didn’t rate him that highly.
Plus, it’s difficult to argue that he was wrong not to play him. After all, the 47-year-old led the Bhoys to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double – the treble Treble overall, after Rodgers won the Scottish League Cup prior to leaving – so the proof is in the pudding.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
