Neil Lennon has accused 'greedy' Celtic fans of chasing Peter Lawwell out the door.

The former Hoops manager left the club last season while the chief executive confirmed he would be leaving this summer to retire and be replaced by Dominic McKay.

It came in the wake of banners and protests from supporters following their disastrous season where they were beaten to the Premiership title by rivals Rangers by a mammoth 25 points.

Lennon pointed to previous disappointments the club have dealt with during which time fans were more forgiving of the situation. But he revealed his feeling of disconnect from fans he says have known nothing but success - who perhaps do not know how to deal with failure.

He told BBC Scotland: "I think because the club had been so successful over previous years, they didn't know anything but victory and success. We just had unprecedented success and I think the younger generation just took it for granted, which is understable.

"But we're talking about maybe three or four months out of my 20 year association with Celtic which was difficult. The other 19 years was unbelievable. Here's one for you. Why did they not behave like that when Tony Mowbray was the manager? Why did they not behave like that when we lost leagues on the last day of the season?

"We actually went to Seville. We had 100,000 fans there, there wasn't one arrest and we didn't win a trophy that season, but there was a celebration of Celtic. Now that to me is what I connect with, with the Celtic support. This sort of new culture is greedy, a little bit complacent and a little bit want, want, want.

"They've chased Peter out the door, they've gone after Dermot, these guys have done nothing but try to bring success to the football club.

"They were putting out banners against the board two or three seasons earlier when we were winning leagues, winning Trebles. I didn't get it.

"I think Peter was always intending to leave anyway at the end of the season but it was sad the way it worked out, after 17 years of fantastic service, we all sort of went out the back door quietly if you know what I mean.

"Look at Scott Brown as well after all he has given to the club. I haven't really sat down and spoke to him yet about why he's gone to Aberdeen and whether he could have stayed on and done another year. I've not had the opportunity to speak to him. But people who have given unbelievable service to the club, it was sort of like, 'Out you go'.

"It's sad. Sometimes that's the inevitability of being a football manager. On my first spell I left on great terms and that was great but it doesn't always work out that way."