NEIL LENNON refused to respond to comments made by John Swinney in response to his explosive press conference earlier in the week.

We told earlier how John Swinney had called Lennon’s remarks that sanctions were politically motivated “appalling”.

READ MORE: John Swinney brands Neil Lennon's Celtic Dubai trip defence 'appalling'

The deputy first minister said he was "lost for words" after hearing the Parkhead supremos explosive news conference on Monday.

The education secretary said: "I am at a loss for words. I said a few weeks ago that it was a bad idea for Celtic to go to Dubai for this trip.

"It was not a great signal. I have no ill will towards Neil Lennon whatsoever but I think his comments were appalling." 

READ MORE: Celtic 0-1 Livingston LIVE 

Speaking to the BBC before Celtic’s game with Livingston, Lennon said: "I covered everything I wanted to say. I said everything I wanted to say on Monday. You keep biting at me {in response to questions about the press conference}.

"You've got enough mileage out of it that last couple of days.

"Everything about my press conferences was realistic. Some people don't like it - fine."

Responding to the comments made by Swinney, Lennon continued: “That’s his opinion, that’s the end of it.”