Neil Lennon has been joined by former Celtic assistant Garry Parker. The Irishman oversaw his first game in charge as Omonia Nicosia, which ended in a draw. However, the 50-year-old has been joined in Cyprus by Parker, who was with him at Celtic, Bolton and Hibs.
Parker was not able to join Celtic for Lennon’s second stint with the club blocking the move. Now, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has reunited with Lennon and is looking to replicate the success that they enjoyed together.
Speaking to Sunsport, Parker said that he was looking forward to working with Lennon again.
“Have I missed Neil? Always. We last worked together at Hibs and it’s great to be back with him. It’s been too long.
“He’s a good man and he’s brilliant to work with.
“It only took me a few minutes to decide to accept his offer to come down to Cyprus.
“As long as it’s right that I can do it, I will always go and work with Neil.
“We get on well with each other, we know the game, we rub off each other. I know what he expects and we get results, touch wood.
“I was delighted to see Neil getting back into management where he belongs. He’s wanted to return to the game since he left Celtic and now he’s got this tremendous opportunity.
“The time’s come, he’s got his chance – and hopefully it will go well.
“Neil needs to be in work and he needs to be managing.”
This is Lennon’s first job since leaving Celtic in late February last year with the season all but over, having imploded in the search for a tenth consecutive title. This lead to an enormous amount of disharmony at the club, something that Ange Postecoglou has done well to remedy. Lennon wasn’t able to bring in either of the Assistants that he had at Celtic with Damien Duff and John Kennedy working with him before Duff was replaced by Gavin Strachan. Lennon appeared to get on fine with the two coaches but there was always a feeling that these weren’t ‘his guys’.
Lennon won ten titles with Celtic, eight Scottish Cups and three league cups in two spells as manager and as a player. He will always be a Celtic legend but it was clear that his time as manager was up. Lennon will be recognised for all that he has done for the club but it may take some time as last season has been incredibly tough for everyone involved.
