FORMER Celtic manager Neil Lennon has emerged as a shock contender to fill the managerial vacancy at Omonia Nicosia, according to reports.

The Northern Irishman has been out of work since leaving the Glasgow club last year and has been linked with jobs south of the border, most recently with League Two's Leyton Orient.

Sunderland and Norwich City were credited with an interest in the 50-year-old before eventually deciding on alternative candidates and it now looks as though Lennon could make his return to the dugout abroad.

Reports in Cyprus say that Lennon is on a shortlist to replace Henning Berg as manager after the Norwegian was relieved of hs duties, with the club languishing in the bottom half of the table.