Source: Team_Talk
Thompson makes Parkhead return
Alan Thompson admits he jumped at the chance to return to Celtic - even though it meant quitting his coaching role at Newcastle.[LNB] The 36-year-old was unveiled as the Hoops' new first team coach at Parkhead today and will work alongside manager Neil Lennon, who was confirmed in the post last week.[LNB]Thompson enjoyed a successful playing career in Glasgow and revealed it was always his ambition to return in a coaching capacity when he left the club three years ago.[LNB]The former midfielder has spent the last two years as academy coach and working with the reserves at St James' Park but says it was not a difficult decision to leave.[LNB]"Not really," he said. "As soon as Neil made me aware of the position, it was one that I couldn't refuse.[LNB]"He didn't have to sell it to me, I know what the place is like.[LNB]"I know what it's like to win titles here and, if we can do that and get the supporters back through the turnstiles and get the stadium full, that will be a success."[LNB]He added: "I always wanted to come back here. I knew I wanted to go into the coaching side and I always had an ambition to return here.[LNB]"It's come a little bit earlier than I thought it would but I still believe I can do the job and I'm looking forward to doing it.[LNB]"I'm over the moon to be back. I thoroughly enjoyed my six-and-a-half years here.[LNB]"If you get this place rocking and get the fans in, it's a fantastic place to play your football.[LNB]"That's what Neil's job is and Johan Mjallby and I are there to assist him in doing that."[LNB]Celtic's new management team find themselves with the task of preventing veteran Rangers boss Walter Smith from claiming a hat-trick of titles this season - a challenge Thompson is relishing.[LNB]He said: "It's always going to be difficult against a vastly experienced manager and we are fairly inexperienced compared to him.[LNB]"But if you look at Neil, Johan and myself - and possibly one or two other members of staff who could be coming in - there is a lot of experience in there as well.[LNB]"It may not be in management, but certainly in the game of football."[LNB]Lennon won all eight SPL games as interim boss at the end of last season but the damage was already done and Celtic surrendered the title by six points.[LNB]Thompson added: "It's a huge task, without a doubt, but it's one that we are all up for and look forward to.[LNB]"I haven't really sat down and spoke to Neil yet, he has been away and I've been away.[LNB]"We will catch up next week and see where we go from here."
