Harry Redknapp has attempted to defuse the row over Aaron Lennon and suggestions that the player was made to feel like a ‘scapegoat’ for Spurs defeat on Tuesday night. Lennon was withdrawn shortly before kick off and reacted angrily to claims that he had ‘bottled it’.
Speaking on Twitter the player said: “Believe me this is one game I did not want to miss and still devastated now.
“But (I) will not be made a scapegoat, saying they only knew just before kick-off.
“Saying I fell ill before the game is bull****. I fell ill on Sunday morning when the medical team put me on antibiotics, but (it) only got worse before Tuesday.”
Speaking on Talksport, manager Harry Redknapp countered: “No one is blaming Aaron for not playing. He’s been fantastic for us. I’ve got no problems with the kid whatsoever.
“I was sitting in the dressing room before the match, looking at his face. He’s normally chirpy before he goes out and I looked and he didn’t look well.
“I had to make a decision. It wasn’t Aaron’s fault. He didn’t bottle anything. The kid wasn’t well. No one’s made him a scapegoat.”
After the recent VDV row, it looks like Harry’s arm needs to be around another shoulder this weekend.
