Wilson plots way past old boss Lennon in play-off semi-final
Scottish Premiership play-off semi-final, first leg: Dunfermline Athletic v Partick Thistle Date: Tuesday, 12 May Venue : East End Park, Dunfermline: Kick-off : 19:45 BST Coverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson says there'll be "no nostalgia" when he faces his old captain and manager, Neil Lennon, in this week's Premiership play-off semi-final with Dunfermline Athletic. The first leg is in Fife on Tuesday before the decisive second game at Firhill on Friday, with both live on BBC Scotland. Wilson admits he had "some of the best years of my life" with Lennon as his skipper at Celtic before the Northern Irish international then coached the right-back at Parkhead when he took over from Tony Mowbray.
"I've fond memories," Wilson told BBC Sport Scotland when asked about his time together at Celtic with Lennon. "I had some of the best years of my life there when Neil was captain. A really strong individual who demands the highest standards.
I had him when he was a reserve coach as well. "I then saw him make that progression, saw the pressure landed on his shoulders as a rookie manager taking one of the biggest teams in the world and how he dealt with that. " The effect Lennon's leadership had on Wilson as a Celtic player isn't lost on the Partick boss either, although he's keen to stress the pair are now equals in opposing technical areas.
"I played some of my best football under Neil," he said. "I enjoyed working with him. So I understand the information he'll be giving his boys and how he can build players up to the standards he holds.
"He's done an incredible job with Dunfermline. Getting to a Scottish Cup final with a Championship club is no mean feat. That takes some doing.