Neil Lennon: ‘My beautiful mother, Ursula, passed away this morning’

Former Celtic Football Club manager Neil Lennon has paid tribute to his “beautiful mother” following her death.

The Lurgan-born coach and former footballer confirmed his mother Ursula had died on Sunday.

Lennon, who is the current head coach of Rapid Bucharest, had returned home from Romania over the weekend to be at his mother’s bedside.

The club had said at the time that she was in a “very serious condition” after suffering a second heart attack following several weeks in hospital.

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“Neil Lennon had to return to Ireland due to a family emergency,” the club said.

The club also said that the “next 48 hours are going to be critical”, adding that the “family called Neil home so they could get through this difficult time together”.

“The health of those close to us is always important, that’s why we are with our coach and we are waiting for him to come back with good news so that we can be present on the bench for Monday’s game,” the club said.

“We stick together, especially in difficult times, and keep our trust.”

But in a short statement released through Rapid Bucharest, Lennon said on Sunday: “My beautiful mother, Ursula, passed away this morning at 10:51″.

Rapid Bucharest also said: “Our coach’s mother passed away this morning. Condolences to the Lennon family.

“We are with our coach in these difficult moments.”

Celtic FC also paid its condolences to the mother of its former player and manager.

“The heartfelt thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with our former captain and manager, Neil Lennon, and his family following the sad passing of Neil’s beloved mother, Ursula, earlier today. RIP, Ursula.”