Quantcast
Blogs

Alan Thompson: I always thought that I'd come back

|

Beating Barcelona

Allan Thompson believes that he was always destined to return to Celtic in a coaching capacity.

The popular midfielder quietly left Celtic in January 2007 for Leeds United with his career on a downward spiral after the highs enjoyed under Martin O’Neill.

Scoring the winning goal against Barcelona in February 2004 was probably the highlight of highlights in Thompson’s hoops career.

The midfielder was never far from the action and excelled on the big occasion with his deliveries from the left to Henrik Larsson a regular source of goals.

At the age of 36 the Geordie could probably still be turning out in the lower leagues but is thrilled to be back at Celtic as first team coach to Neil Lennon.

“I always thought that one day I’d love to come back,” he told Channel 67. “As a player and as a coach I always set my ambitions high.

“I never thought that it would happen this early but it has and it’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to.

“When Lenny took the job on with eight games to go we spoke about things back then. I was in a position at Newcastle but we did our coaching badges together and we always said that if something came about then we’d like to work together.

“We spoke about it in the past but who’d have thought that it would be here at Celtic?

As players Thompson and Lennon were from the same mould- winners.

Players that never accepted second best and who fought and scrapped for 90 minutes plus to be successful.

Those qualities were posted missing in a number of games last season but Thompson insists that the new management team have got more to offer than shouting and screaming at players.

He added: “Coaching is a totally different prospect to playing. On the pitch you can do things to change the outcome but on the sidelines you can only prepare the players and give instructions. It’s a different aspect of the game but one that I’m looking forward to.

“I’m ready for this job, I’m positive and looking forward to it. I’ve worked with first team players before at both Leeds and Newcastle on a fairly regular basis.

“I like to think that I’m bringing a winning mentality, enthusiasm and hopefully a good knowledge of the game as well

“In coaching you are learning all the time. I’ve only been doing it for two and a half years but whose to say that in another twenty years I’m going to sit down and say that I know it all?

“As a coach and manager you are always learning, there will always be someone with more knowledge, as long as you have that outlook you’ll be all-right.

“It’ll be good to get together again with Neil and Johan (Mjallby). As players we were fairly close but we’ll be even closer together in management.

“When you are playing you go off on your separate ways at two o’clock after training, as coaches we’ll be staying in till all hours, there’s always things to be done and we’re just looking forward to getting started.”

Channel 67

Follow Video Celts on Twitter

Videocelts Extension Button

Share this article

Online and independent- the only way to be. Enjoying instant news access and reaction, following the trends if not an influencer!

0 comments

  • Eddie Murray says:

    Just what we need-an intelligent coaching team with a never-say die attitude. Like you say Joe, last year was the reverse and points were handed out like slaps on the head to bewildered Dutchmen. Delighted to see Thommo back. Between him and Lennon, there will be no complacency and players shirking the tackle will be sent to Johan! Can’t wait to see their team line up. Hail Hail.

Comments are closed.