Just where does the madness end? The sectarian hatred brewing within Scottish football, and in particular from the Old Firm, cannot and should not be tolerated any further.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been at the coalface of this hatred. And let’s be honest he’s no angel and some of his actions – like lifting hands to ears to seemingly taunt Rangers fans recently – have not endeared him, especially on the blue side of Glasgow.

But that’s still no excuse for what he has been subjected to all season and, in fact, all through his career.

Last night’s charge by a “fan” to have a go at Lennon on the touchline – during their SPL game against hearts at Tynecastle – is a new low. It’s the latest act in a horror-filled season for the Hoops manager, who must now be wondering if his position as manager at Celtic is tenable.

Death threats, bombs, bullets in the post, vitriolic attacks on the street are just some of the low-life actions Lennon has been subjected to.

The former Northern Ireland international – who was forced to give up that privilege for same threat reasons – comes across as a defiant character. However, there comes a time when incessant threats towards an individual cannot be tolerated, especially if the threat spills over to members of his family.

These are dark days for Scottish football and at a time when many would argue is already in serious decline. From the Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond, down all have spoken out against the latest attack on Lennon.

Rather than a shot in the arm, or a good news story from Scottish Football, it continues to spiral and morph into something of a pariah. Should it continue even greater numbers will switch off than are already doing so.

If these are so-called fans behind the Lennon attacks they are in serious danger of biting off the hand that feeds them with Scottish football in danger of slipping into oblivion.

Given the current situation, is that such a bad thing?