PARKHEAD BOSS ADMITS LOSING DUFF TO IRELAND IS A HUGE BLOW

NEIL LENNON has admitted losing first-team coach

Damien Duff to the Republic of Ireland represents a massive setback for Celtic.

Duff will become Stephen Kenny’s assistant manager with the FAI at the end of his Parkhead contract next month and will not be able to operate in a dual role.

The former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers winger was promoted from Celtic’s academy staff to help Lennon and John Kennedy in February 2019 after Brendan Rodgers left for Leicester City.

He made a telling impression on many players and was singled out for praise by Lennon last season for his work with wide men James Forrest and Mikey Johnston.

However, the nine-in-a-row champions are on the lookout for a replacement for Duff, with Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus contenders from within if the club stick to their Lennoxtown structure.

Lennon reported: ‘He’s at home in Ireland but his contract doesn’t run out until the end of June. So, if we come back on the 10th, we might have him until the end of the month which might buy us time to look to bring someone in or promote from within.

‘I spoke to him on Monday and he was in good spirits but he’ll join the FAI. It’s a blow because he contributed immensely and I got on great with him.

‘He’s still in his formative years as a coach but he made a huge contribution and there was a real good chemistry there, so he’ll be difficult to replace.

‘We were waiting on it getting called first and then we’ll look to replace him. But it’s not at the forefront of our minds as we’ll have plenty of time to see what we’ll do.’