Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson will face his former captain and manager, Neil Lennon, in the Premiership play-off semi-final with Dunfermline Athletic.
Wilson, who had some of his best years with Lennon as his skipper at Celtic, insists there’ll be “no nostalgia” when the sides meet.
The first leg is in Fife on Tuesday before the decisive second game at Firhill on Friday, with both live on BBC Scotland.
Wilson’s Celtic Memories
Wilson reflected on his time with Lennon at Celtic. “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.”
He added, “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.”
Wilson acknowledges the effect of Lennon’s leadership. “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.”
Respect for Lennon’s Achievements
Wilson is aware of Lennon’s achievements with Dunfermline. “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.”
Despite their past, Wilson is focused on the present. “He’s a tough opponent to come up against but these two games are not about nostalgia, about me being one of Neil’s ex-players or anything like that. My job now is a coach, I’m his equal, I need to find a way to beat him and that’s what my full concentration is on.”
Thistle’s Progress Under Wilson
Wilson wants his side to be competitive heading into the second leg at Firhill.
The Jags have three wins and a draw from their four games with the Pars in the regular Championship season, but Wilson is aware that previous form counts for nothing now.
Wilson is also aware of how far his own side has come since his appointment. “When I was appointed, just to paint the picture clearly, we had no goalkeepers, we had no full-backs, we had no striker, we had a very bare midfield,” he explained.
He continued, “We had a lot of young kids. We had a couple of centre-halves in there, we had a couple of wingers. People within the club thought it was going to be a long, hard season.”
Wilson is now focused on finding a way to beat Lennon in the play-off semi-final.