Advertisement

'It's probably the quickest promotion known to man in any job'

Damien Duff says it’s a ‘real honour’ to be part of the Celtic first-team coaching staff for the rest of the season.

DAMIEN DUFF ADMITS ‘it’s a big honour’ to be promoted to Celtic’s first-team coaching staff to assist new boss Neil Lennon until the end of the season. 

The former Ireland winger moved up from his role as Celtic reserve team manager this week following the appointment of Lennon to replace Brendan Rodgers, who left the position for Leicester City.

It was a quick promotion for Duff, who only joined the Scottish champions in January following a spell working with the Shamrock Rovers U15 side, but he is clearly relishing the challenge. 

“It’s probably the quickest promotion known to man in any job,” he smiled. “I’m ready for it. I know the role and I know the club, and it’s a massive honour. Celtic is more than a club. Here, you’re fighting for more than that – you’re fighting for a cause as well. I know what the club means to fans. It means the same to me, so I’m ready.

“I understand the club and, Celtic Football Club aside, myself and football, I’m all about emotion and enthusiasm.”

Duff was on the Celtic bench at Tynecastle last night as the Bhoys secured a dramatic late victory over Hearts to cement their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

He added: “There’s a bit of me that’s sad to see the back of the reserves for now. I felt like they were starting to really understand me and the way I work. The game against the Kilmarnock reserves is the best they’ve been, and for 70-80 minutes they were brilliant.

“What I’ve enjoyed up until now is improving young players. I feel I’m good at it, so I guess I’ll miss that side of it, but I’ll still be keeping an eye on them and helping them whenever I can.

“There were four or five of them training with the first team after the Hearts game. That’s what the club’s built on, bringing youth through so nothing’s going to change.

“It’s obviously a massive step up to the first team. There will be more quality and a quicker tempo, but I’ll just be helping the gaffer and John wherever I can. That’s what I’m here for.”

Bernard Jackman joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to discuss the backlash to World Rugby’s league proposal, captaincy styles, sports psychology and more in The42 Rugby Weekly.


The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud

Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:

Author
View 3 comments
Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fred McHugh
    Favourite Fred McHugh
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 11:01 AM

    ENGLISH premier league- just in location

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Flannery
    Favourite Mike Flannery
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 11:06 AM

    Lower quality but more interesting football back then

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bungee Aky
    Favourite Bungee Aky
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 11:25 AM

    Brexit might bring back that reality sooner than people think

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mc Dermott
    Favourite John Mc Dermott
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 11:42 AM

    Is it any wonder it’s never happened again… Villa lost 4-1 to Coventry!

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Murphy
    Favourite Brian Murphy
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 11:26 AM

    Ironic it was a foreginer who scored the winning goals tho…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damo.f
    Favourite Damo.f
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 2:41 PM

    Bernard Brogans long lost relative.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tricksy
    Favourite Tricksy
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 2:19 PM

    And not many English managers either !

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank MacNamara
    Favourite Frank MacNamara
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 2:41 PM

    I wonder what Premier team had the most Irish players in it?I remember Charlton Athletic had Matt Holland,Mark Kinsella&Dean Kiely at the same time.That would be hard to beat,I reckon.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank O'Mahony
    Favourite Frank O'Mahony
    Report
    Feb 27th 2019, 2:58 PM

    @Frank MacNamara: Villa with Stan (the gaffer), McGrath, Townsend and Houghton maybe

    14
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel