Lennon handed boost in relegation fight after SPFL statement

Neil Lennon and Dunfermline have been handed a boost in their fight against relegation after the SPFL docked Hamilton Academical 15 points.

Prior to the deduction, Lennon’s side sat two behind Accies, who occupied seventh spot in the Scottish Championship.

Now, however, Hamilton are down to 20 points after previously being on 35. Dunfermline have moved up to seventh on 33, five points clear of the relegation play-off place and 13 ahead of bottom spot.

‘Couldn’t care less’: Ex-Celtic boss Postecoglou in defiant message to Spurs critics

I’m a modern-day Celtic legend – here are my five best teammates from Parkhead spell

Lennon was appointed boss at East End Park a little under a month ago.

Shortly after his unveiling, he promptly moved to secure the services of Celtic hero Victor Wanyama.

The Kenyan was sent off on his Dunfermline debut against Scott Brown’s Ayr United, though, having deliberately handled the ball to stop a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Lennon issued a strong defence of Wanyama after the incident: “Victor slipped, and his initial reaction was to reach out for it, but I thought we had Jeremiah there,” he said.

“I don’t think their guy would’ve been clean through.

“Listen, I’m not happy with the referee. I got booked for apparently contesting a decision where my player got flattened, and their guy remonstrates with the ref and still doesn’t get a card. It was a very strange performance from him.”

Dunfermline captain Joe Chalmers spoke highly of Wanyama after his sending off: “Victor is devastated in there,” he said.

“He was just saying how he’s come in to help us and is so gutted about what happened.

“He spoke in front of the boys there and was telling us how much he wants to help us. I am confident he will bounce back.