" Sacked by Cardiff City, now wants to return to football "

" Sacked by Cardiff City, now wants to return to football "

Sunday 24th April 2016

Malky Mackay has become the second high-profile former Celtic player to state that he wants to succeed Ronny Deila at the Premiership leaders.

Neil Lennon, the Norwegian's predecessor, told BBC Scotland this week he would be keen to return when Deila leaves at the end of the season.

Now Mackay, sacked by Wigan Athletic a year ago, has declared his interest.

"If Celtic wanted to talk to me, I'd certainly be keen to do that," the 44-year-old told Sky Sports News.

Former Watford and Cardiff City boss Mackay was subject to a Football Association investigation after leaving the Welsh club, when it emerged that he sent text messages containing discriminatory language.

However, the FA confirmed last year that no disciplinary action would be taken, highlighting "serious concerns about the circumstances in which particular evidence had been given and the reliability and completeness of that evidence".

Mackay recently told BBC Scotland that he wished for a quick return to club management and that Celtic was a "huge, worldwide job".

"I think the next five-year period at Celtic is a crucial one," Mackay said. "I think a record 10 titles in a row is achievable and a strong focus should be there.

"But, for that to happen, I think there is a detailed and strategic plan needed going forward. I think I could help with that and bring a fresh approach.

"I've got an understanding of the club and an ability for that to happen."

Mackay was speaking after Deila announced last week that he would stand down in the summer.

David Moyes, the former Everton and Manchester United manager sacked by Real Sociedad in November, remains the bookmakers' favourite for the job.

But the 52-year-old former Celtic defender, who is also believed to be interested in the vacancy at Aston Villa, said last week that he would be keeping his options open before making a decision in the close season.

Steve Clarke, the former West Bromwich Albion boss who was sacked by Reading last December, has had his odds slashed by one major bookmaker, who now make him third favourite behind Moyes and Lennon.

Republic of Ireland assistant Roy Keane - who had a short spell as a player with the Glasgow club and turned down the job before Deila's appointment in 2014 - has admitted he would like to return to club management, albeit he refused to talk specifically about the Celtic job,

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill also opted to shun questions about the summer vacancy.

Good luck to Malky, hope he reinstates his career and does well

9th Favourite, no chance! Will have to start back in Division 1 or 2 if he is lucky?

Good luck to Malky, hope he reinstates his career and does well

Some one soon will get an excelent Manager, wish you well Malky

Good luck to Malky, hope he reinstates his career and does well

Some one soon will get an excelent Manager, wish you well Malky

Wigan fans won't agree.

Good luck to Malky, hope he reinstates his career and does well

Agree

hope he never works in football again

hope he never works in football again

After his time with Wigan I don't think any club are likely to be calling him any time soon
Must have just struck lucky with the success at City
I don't think Newport County would want that racist b*stard

We only went up due to tan bankrolling us milky has had it

I doubt if being sacked by Wigan makes for an impressive cv, especially for a high profile job like Celtic.

Good luck to Malky, hope he reinstates his career and does well

Some one soon will get an excelent Manager, wish you well Malky

Wigan fans won't agree.

He took over a shit team, they were in fre fall, yes they are coming back up, so let's see how they do next year

hope he never works in football again

Well we can't check your phone can we, wonder what you have on there, or you have never done anything wrong in your life

hope he never works in football again

Well we can't check your phone can we, wonder what you have on there, or you have never done anything wrong in your life

David Moyes will get the Celtic job Malky has to prove himself from a lower team after what happened at Wigan and us.

He had 2 good seasons with us no doubt but he did get plenty of support and money from Tan and we then started slipping in the premiership and then we will never know what will happen as the circus began sadly