Former Rangers star Barry Ferguson defends Hibernian manager Neil Lennon

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Pedro Caixinha’s Glasgow Rangers lost against Neil Lennon’s Hibernian at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership last weekend.

Rangers suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Hibernian at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership last Saturday.

It was quite an eventual match in which the Gers had Ryan Jack sent off as early as the 36th minute, giving Hibs a numerical advantage.

As reported by BBC Sport, Rangers supporters’ group, Club 1872, who are the second largest shareholder in the club, complained that Hibernian manager Lennon – a former Celtic midfielder and manager – had made “various inflammatory gestures” to fans during the game.

Complaints were made to police over Lennon’s conduct, as reported by BBC Sport, but no action has been taken.

With Celtic head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in Scotland, Hibernian and Rangers are two of the main challengers for the runners-up spot in the Scottish Premiership.

Hibernian manager Lennon has revealed that Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha disrespected him at the post-match meeting.

Meanwhile, former Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson has given his take on the controversy surrounding Lennon last weekend, stating that there was nothing wrong with his action.

“There’s nothing wrong with a wee bit of needle,” Ferguson wrote in The Daily Record. “The more the merrier as far as I’m concerned. So don’t expect me to join the clamour for Neil Lennon to be hammered for what went on at Ibrox last weekend.

“Because if I’m ever lucky enough to be standing in the away dugout at Celtic Park watching a team of mine scoring, I promise you I’ll not be holding back with my celebrations either. And why should I?”

“Our game needs all the big, passionate characters it can get,” added Ferguson. “It’s all just part of the show and what people need to remember is that, once the 90 minutes is over, it’s time to move on. It’s embarrassing that this row is still rumbling on nearly a week later.”

“I paid him due respect before the game,” Lennon told The Scottish Sun. “I said he came across as a gentleman, and I paid Ibrox the compliment of saying it was a great amphitheatre.

“I even complimented his team’s performance after the game. So, other than kiss his feet, how much more respect does Pedro Caixinha want me to give him?

“That respect should have been afforded to me when we went into his office afterwards, but it wasn’t. Respect is a two-way thing. I went into the office after the game. There was no conversation with myself or my backroom team.”