Neil Lennon hailed his heroic Omonia Nicosia players after taking a huge step towards the Europa League group stage with a stunning 2-0 win over Gent in Belgium with the help of two his former charges. Rangers flop Brandon Barker - who played under Lennon at Hibs - netted the late goal to put the seal on the victory while former Celtic full back Adam Matthews was introduced as a substitute in the playoff first leg tie.
Lennon was only appointed boss of the Cypriot side in March and led them to silverware a couple of months later when he won the Cypriot Cup and is now firmly on course to lead them to the group stage of a UEFA competition for only the second time in the club’s history.
The ex-Easter Road gaffer could then be on a collision course with former Edinburgh rivals Hearts if they can overcome their 2-1 first leg deficit against FC Zurich to secure a group stage place or even Rangers if they fail to reach the Champions League group stage after a 2-2 first leg draw with PSV Eindhoven and drop into UEFA’s second tier competition, where they reached the final last season.
