Scottish newspaper the Daily Record has today apologised to Celtic Football Club for an ‘insensitive’ headline in Saturday’s paper ahead of the team’s game with Rangers.

The headline asked:  “Who is more hated at Ibrox: the taxman, or Celtic manager, Neil Lennon?’

Rangers, based at Ibrox Park, are currently being investigated by HM Revenue & Customs and Lennon received bomb threats last year.

The football club immediately complained about the headline and a statement on the club’s website said they would no longer cooperate with journalists from the paper.

The Trinity Mirror owned title carried the apology at the top of its back-page sports coverage today under the heading: ‘We’re sorry’.

It said: “This has caused dismay and anger and it was wrong.

“We apologise for any offence this may have caused Neil Lennon, his family and also supporters.

“The Daily Record has a history of condemning intolerance in all its forms. Our headline was a misjudgement and it was not intended to stoke up feelings ahead of yesterday’s match.”

A statement on the Celtic FC website said: “Clearly, given the year Neil Lennon and his family have experienced – with bombs, bullets, death threats and physical assaults – this kind of reporting is inflammatory, highly irresponsible and quite simply offensive.

“For this newspaper to treat the matter in this insensitive and ill-judged manner is astonishing.

“Neil Lennon, his coaching staff and the Celtic players are very disappointed at this reporting and have jointly decided that they will not be co-operating with journalists from The Daily Record.

“It is only right that the newspaper delivers a suitable retraction and apology.”