Neil Lennon believes there is a witch-hunt against Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths

Griffiths fired back at his critics with his celebrations after goals against Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock this week, while pundit Kris Boyd returned fire on the 29-year-old over his application in training.

Lennon was surprised to discover that an incident involving Griffiths throwing tape at a supporter at Rugby Park was shown in the BBC’s television highlights of the match, but Alan Power’s tackle that injured Jeremie Frimpong was not, and he said that the selective highlighting of incidents involving his player points to a vendetta against him.

“I don’t watch Sportscene but, for me, that’s ridiculous,” Lennon said. “It seems to me at times that there’s some sort of witch-hunt against Griff.

“In the main, he’s been very good in the last six months in terms of his attitude and his behaviour on and off the field, so I think that’s a bit over the top.

“I believe he’s now mature enough to handle it. He’s also had support from myself, the coaching staff and, of course, the players.

“For me, Griff has done absolutely nothing wrong and I’d like to draw a line under it and move on to the game against Ross County.”

Lennon backed his club’s decision to complain to Sky over Boyd’s comments on Griffiths during their broadcast on Wednesday, believing the former Rangers and Kilmarnock man’s criticism was tactless.

“I’m delighted by that,” he said. “Sometimes players need protecting – and not just from themselves.

“It looks to me as though some people have a vendetta against him and they like to look at him to make headlines. Whereas I prefer him to do that by doing what he’s doing at the moment, which is scoring goals.

“[Boyd’s comments] were just lacking a bit of tact. Griff had to go through a difficult time, and he was out for quite a considerable period time with it.

“I do think he’s back in a good place and that should be applauded.”