Celtic reveal Thompson fired over phone after meeting refusal CELTIC first team coach Alan Thompson was dismissed by Neil Lennon over the telephone after he refused to meet with the Parkhead manager, the club said today. Thompson told by ex-Celtic team mate Lennon of his dismissal over the phone The Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions confirmed the Englishman's departure from the club on their website today in a statement which claimed Thompson, 38, failed to attend a pre-arranged meeting with the Parkhead boss in Newcastle. "We can also confirm that a meeting was set up between Alan Thompson and Neil Lennon on Sunday (June 3) in Newcastle," it read. However, Alan refused to meet with Neil, hence the reason for the discussion being conducted by telephone. The matter is now in the hands of lawyers and, therefore, we are unable to go into any further details. While speculation abounds about the reasons for Thompson's dismissal, and whether or not it was at the behest of Lennon, it appears the relationship between the two men is over. Former Celtic striker Andy Walker is surprised by Thompson's departure, three weeks after the SPL season ended with a title win for the Parkhead club. He told Sky Sports: "To be sacked over the phone is not ideal, but clearly something has boiled to the surface. I think it comes as a shock to most people. I don't know if this is a board decision or a decision taken by Neil Lennon. I am just very surprised. I was under the impression that Alan and Neil Lennon got on very well, they seemed very close. For the last number of weeks towards the end of the season when Neil Lennon was facing a number of SFA charges, Alan Thompson was the very public face of Celtic. He took on board all of the media duties, he was very accommodating and he is a very popular guy with the players and supporters, who held him in a high regard. So it is just very surprising that after three weeks after the season has finished that Celtic have chosen to take this course of action. Thompson was brought back to the club in June 2010, when he was appointed as first team coach by Lennon alongside assistant manager Johan Mjallby, the three of whom were in the Celtic side which reached the UEFA Cup final in 2003. Lennon's former Leicester team-mate Garry Parker was also recruited as a first-team coach which means Thompson's departure would not unduly deplete the backroom staff if he is not replaced. Thompson, who played for the Glasgow club between 2000 and 2007, winning four Scottish Premier League titles and three Scottish Cups, could seek legal redress. His lawyer, Margaret Gribbon, of Glasgow-based Bridge Litigation, said in a statement yesterday: "I can confirm that I have been instructed to act on behalf of Alan Thompson following his dismissal by Celtic FC. Alan was informed of the decision to terminate his employment with immediate effect in a telephone conversation with the club manager Neil Lennon.