Michael Stewart believes Neil Lennon has hurt the club with his explosive press conference this afternoon.

The Celtic boss blasted critics for their 'hypocrisy' after the Hoops' trip to Dubai was scrutinised before and since they returned last week. Lennon claimed neither he nor his players and staff broke any rules during their winter training camp.

However it comes after Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 and another 13 players were forced to self-isolate as close contacts. Then further news broke today that another player had contracted the virus and was now self-isolating once again.

Lennon tore into naysayers and blasted what he described as 'bullying' against his club. But Stewart, who played for Hearts and Hibs, accused the boss of damaging Celtic with his comments. Though he acknowledged that Lennon is likely feeling under attack from quarters of the media, pundits and supporters.

Stewart said: "I’m absolutely sure Neil Lennon feels like he’s under attack but he is completely in the wrong to say everything that he did today, especially when another player has just tested positive. This sorry saga will continue to rumble on and hurt the club."

Lennon previously said, during a fiery presser, "Another player has been deemed positive,  it is someone who is self-isolating. Everyone is negative bar two players.

"I think that is remarkable and blows out the water the way the trip has been portrayed by certain quarters of the media, by certain pundits and by certain government officials as well. We did not abuse any ‘privilege’, we did the right things, we were totally professional.

"We had a little drink in the afternoon on the day of, completely allowed, no law breaking.

"But we come back to this barrage of absolute hypocrisy."