Neil Lennon says new Celtic coach Damien Duff is still finding his feet

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Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon has stated that new first-team coach Damien Duff is still getting used to the new set-up.

It’s been just over a month since Brendan Rodgers departed for Leicester City. That only came just one month after Duff had been confirmed as the new reserve team manager.

In the blink of an eye, the former Fulham and Chelsea star was part of the first-team staff. Now working as Lennon’s first-team coach, the Irishman has had one heck of a time of it since joining the Hoops.

Lennon explained in this week’s Celtic View (Volume 54, Issue 36, Page 7) that Duff is still getting used to his newest role with the club.

“It’s all new to Damien. He’s finding his feet with it, and he’s doing really well. Ultimately, he was a brilliant player, he had a brilliant career and he knows the game.

“He understands the mentality of the players. He’s learning as he goes alone, but we don’t have all of the answers at the moment.

“At the moment, we’re doing it the same as it’s been done over the past few years because it’s been successful. I certainly don’t want to change that – not yet.”

Is Duff here for the long haul too?

It seems as though Lennon is quite a fan of Duff. The man himself has already explained how much of a whirlwind it’s been so far for him in Glasgow. But what of his future after the end of the season?

If Lennon was to stay, it’s difficult to see Duff not playing a part beyond that. Lennon may want to bring in his own staff, but Duff surely wouldn’t be kicked to the curb.

And if the interim manager has to step down after the campaign – it would surely be likely that Duff resumes his role with the reserves. Nothing appears to be set in stone, but that was the reason the former Premier League title-winner was brought in for.

With over 600 career appearances to his name with clubs such as Fulham, Chelsea, and Newcastle United, he has so much to give to the youngsters at Parkhead. But at the moment you couldn’t blame him for setting his sights higher than that.

Lennon is clearly a supporter of him. Will Duff still be first team coach next season, however? He’s clearly impressing early on.