Soccer: O'Neill backs Lennon defiance
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has welcomed Neil Lennon's decision to play on for Northern Ireland.
Lennon considered his international future after being booed by some of his country's fans in a friendly because he had signed for Celtic.
But after days of soul searching with his family, friends and O'Neill, Lennon decided to carry on playing for his country.
He informed Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy that he was not going to walk away and let the boo-boys win.
Lennon's club manager, for whom he has great respect, advised him to carry on and he was delighted that the midfielder has decided against quitting the international scene.
O'Neill said: "He asked my opinion - that's all he asked me and I said to him that I maybe thought he should continue and saw how it went.
"Neil obviously consulted his family and made that decision so I'm pleased he's made his decision and I'm pleased he has done what he has done at this minute and we'll see how it goes.
"I'm not too worried about what sort of message it may or may not send out.
"If it's his real decision that he wants to continue on then I totally abide by that."
O'Neill, who also represented Northern Ireland in his heyday, has praised Lennon for the way he has handled the situation and responded by producing the goods for Celtic.
