Neil Lennon hailed his heroic Omonia Nicosia gamers after taking an enormous step in direction of the Europa League group stage with a shocking 2-0 win over Gent in Belgium with the assistance of two his former expenses. Rangers flop Brandon Barker - who performed beneath Lennon at Hibs - netted the late purpose to place the seal on the victory whereas former Celtic full again Adam Matthews was launched as an alternative within the playoff first leg tie.
Lennon was solely appointed boss of the Cypriot aspect in March and led them to silverware a few months later when he received the Cypriot Cup and is now firmly on target to make them the group stage of a UEFA competitors for under the second time within the membership’s historical past.
The ex-Easter Highway gaffer may then be on a collision course with former Edinburgh rivals Hearts if they'll overcome their 2-1 first leg deficit towards FC Zurich to safe a bunch stage place and even Rangers in the event that they fail to achieve the Champions League group stage after a 2-2 first leg draw with PSV Eindhoven and drop into UEFA’s second tier competitors, the place they reached the ultimate final season.
Lennon, who masterminded Celtic’s well-known victory over Barcelona, was beaming with delight and spoke of their detailed homework on the opposition to take advantage of their weaknesses. The Irishman stated: “We dissected AA Gent very properly and knew the place their weaknesses lay. Along with the employees, we analysed AA Gent very properly. I knew the place their strengths have been but additionally their weaknesses.
“We instantly pinned them they usually could not get out. Within the second half we dropped again a bit, however we managed to make it 2-0 on the counter. I name that a good end result, however we're solely midway by the stage.
“I'm extraordinarily glad and pleased with my gamers. I believe the followers who travelled alongside additionally share that opinion. The way in which we performed right here was glorious. We managed to attain twice on a go to to the Belgian cup winner.
"However I instantly push everybody with their ft on the bottom once more. We're definitely not there but, despite the fact that we're pulling again to Cyprus with a pleasant 2-0 lead. Should you watch the second half, you realize that AA Gent has quite a lot of qualities. We could be glad with the end result, however we are going to work very arduous to increase that reality subsequent Thursday.”
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