NEIL LENNON saw a winning start to his managerial career at Omonia Nicosia snatched away in the fading moments yesterday.
The former Celtic boss was back in the dug-out for the first time in just over a year and it looked as though he would hit the ground running with his new Cypriot club winning 2-1 against Doxa.
However, the visitors levelled for the second time to leave the Northern Irishman with mixed emotions.
Lennon introduced several youngsters while resting some of the established performers in preparation for a massive national Cup quarter-final first leg against AEL Limassol in midweek, the team’s only chance of silverware this season.
The ex-Hoops gaffer, speaking in a report in the Sunday Mail, said: “I’m disappointed not to win the game when we were in a winning position, but I’m very pleased with the young players.
“We had a young team out today, obviously we rested some first-team players for the game on Wednesday, so it was a good experience for a lot of the younger players.
“There were aspects of the game, particularly in the second-half, that pleased me a lot.”
Andronikos Kakoullis scored the first goal of Lennon’s reign, but that was nullified by a Berat Sadik strike in the 72nd minute.
Tim Matavz put Omonia ahead again five minutes later, but Ismail Sassi’s stoppage-time goal prevented a perfect launch to the ex-Celt’s career in Cyprus.
Lennon has his work cut out to guide the team back on track after taking over from ex-Ibrox defender Henning Berg who led the team to the title last season, but was sacked after they plunged into the bottom six.
