LENNON RELISHING EURO CLASHES WITH UNITED

NEIL LENNON admits he can’t wait to sample an ‘awesome’ clash with Manchester United in the Europa League. Sixteen months ago, the Northern Irishman left Celtic under a cloud after the quest to beat Rangers to ten-in-a-row ended with fan protests and acrimony. Back in football with Omonia Nicosia, the Cypriot club’s stunning 4-0 aggregate win over Belgian club Gent secured a slot in UEFA’s second competition where they meet United, Real Sociedad and Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol. Former Celtic right-back Adam Matthews and ex-Rangers winger Brandon Barker have become key players for the Cypriots — and, speaking after a dream draw, Lennon said: ‘Facing Manchester United is awesome. ‘To play in Old Trafford with those players like Ronaldo, De Gea and Rashford. Even me going up against Ten Hag is something amazing. We can gain so much from playing teams like that. ‘And Real Sociedad is a very big team, while for Sheriff Tiraspol we will try to get information from Bruno (the Brazilian winger) who played there.’ Lennon came up against United in his playing days with Leicester City in the English Premier League and Celtic in the Champions League. ‘It’s something fantastic, something wonderful,’ he continued. ‘To be drawn with these teams can only bring profit to the club, the team, the players and everyone. ‘Manchester United is a huge club and it is brilliant to face them. Real Sociedad and Sheriff Tiraspol are strong too. ‘It’s too early to talk about goals in the Europa League group. The draw has just now taken place and we will have to wait to see who our target will be.’