“I’m ready.”
Former Ireland winger Damien Duff has said that his move from Shamrock Rovers to Celtic is probably the ‘quickest promotion known to man in any job’.
Duff served as the League of Ireland club’s U15 coach but recently moved to Celtic where he was brought into the club’s setup before being appointed to the senior team under Neil Lennon this week.
📺 "I know the role, I know the club, it's a massive honour. I'm all about emotion and enthusiasm. That's just me."
New first team coach Damien Duff sits down for an exclusive interview with @CelticTV. pic.twitter.com/KGuN0Fd4LP
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 28, 2019
It’s been a whirlwind ride for the former Chelsea star and he admits that he’s had to have a bit of a giggle at just how quick he has risen through the coaching ranks.
“It was only three or four months ago that I’m with the Shamrock Rovers u15’s, playing in the national league there, and all of a sudden I’m on the sideline for the Celtic first team,” Duff told Celtic TV.
“So you have to have a giggle about the last couple of days. It’s probably the quickest promotion known to man in any job!
“But listen I’m ready, I’ll crack on with it. I know the role, I know the club. It’s a massive honour. It’s more than a club, like Barcelona’s motto. Here you are fighting for more than that, you’re fighting for a cause and I understand that. I know what the club means to the fans, and it means the same to me, so I’m ready.”
Duff’s promotion coincided with the departure of Brendan Rodgers to Leicester City and the former Ireland international asserted that Neil Lennon is the perfect choice to succeed the ex-Liverpool boss at the club.
“I think it speaks volumes. I think we possibly made hard work of it in the second-half when they went down to 10 men but I think the club responded brilliantly. Brendan had his deal done, Peter [Lawwell] was straight on the phone to Neil [Lennon] and we were ready to announce Neil as the gaffer as well so you know we’ll carry on as before.
“Brendan is a massive loss to the club. For me, he created the best footballing team that the league has ever seen up here and it’s in no better hands with the gaffer here to carry that on.”
