Luis Suarez 10-match ban is 'extensive to say the least' says Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Scot comes to the defence of the Liverpool striker

Luis Suarez took a nip in the arm of an astonished Branislav Ivanovic (AFP/Getty Images)

Neil Lennon has leapt to the defence of shamed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez by claiming that his ten match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic was “extensive to say the least.”

The Celtic manager, who is no stranger to controversy himself, feels that too much was made of the incident due to the South American's reputation and the nature of football as a global game.

He said: "I was watching the British Lions last week and Owen Farrell got left-hooked by a Barbarian right on the jaw, but more is made of Suarez taking a nibble out of Ivanovic.

"I think there has to be a certain perspective put on things when it comes to football."

Celtic are due to play Liverpool in Dublin on August 10, but the chances of Suarez playing in that game look slim as the talented forward has admitted to looking for a way out of Merseyside.

Lennon's comments will be welcomed by those connected with the Anfield club, but they might not be appreciated across Stanley Park at Everton where the Northern Irishman has been linked with the vacant manager's post in recent weeks. However, the former Leicester midfielder just brushed off the speculation.

"I have had no offers. It's nice to be linked with these things, but you take it all with a pinch of salt. I love what I do, and the size of Celtic sometimes gets under-estimated, not by people here, but by people elsewhere.

"You saw Celtic in all its glory last season with the Champions League run that we had and the supporters, the way they behave impeccably, not just at home but away from home as well. They turned the games into a carnival atmosphere."