Alan Thompson has expressed his delight after being appointed first-team coach by Celtic.
Celtic coach looking forward to working with Lennon
Alan Thompson has expressed his delight after being appointed first-team coach by Celtic.
Thompson was presented as the latest member of manager Neil Lennon's backroom team earlier on Thursday after leaving his role with Newcastle.
The 36-year-old has been working as academy coach at St James' Park but admits it was not a difficult decision to return to the club where he spent a large chunk of his playing career.
"As soon as Neil made me aware of the position, it was one that I couldn't refuse," he explained.
"He didn't have to sell it to me, I know what the place is like.
"I know what it's like to win titles here and, if we can do that and get the supporters back through the turnstiles and get the stadium full, that will be a success."
Over the moon
Thompson is confident he can rise to the challenge and support Lennon in his duties.
He added: "I always wanted to come back here. I knew I wanted to go into the coaching side and I always had an ambition to return here.
"It's come a little bit earlier than I thought it would but I still believe I can do the job and I'm looking forward to doing it.
"I'm over the moon to be back. I thoroughly enjoyed my six-and-a-half years here.
"If you get this place rocking and get the fans in, it's a fantastic place to play your football.
"That's what Neil's job is and Johan Mjallby and I are there to assist him in doing that."
Experience
Celtic's new management team find themselves with the task of preventing veteran Rangers boss Walter Smith from claiming a hat-trick of titles this season.
Thompson said: "It's always going to be difficult against a vastly experienced manager and we are fairly inexperienced compared to him.
"But if you look at Neil, Johan and myself - and possibly one or two other members of staff who could be coming in - there is a lot of experience in there as well.
"It may not be in management, but certainly in the game of football."
