CELTIC are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of their next permanent manager – even if it’s still the early stages of the process.
And the chase has made a visit to Europe – and a man who has just masterminded the humiliation of Rangers.
That man is Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen, with a report from Nieuwslabd in Belgium claiming that the Hoops have registered a ‘concrete interest’ in the 45-year-old.
Hayen outlined his credentials to be the next Hoops permanent boss by demolishing Russell Martin‘s Rangers 9-1 over two legs of Champions League qualifying.
Hayen’s Club Brugge side also took a point from Celtic at Parkhead in last year’s Champions League and he’s clearly made an impression.
Brugge currently sit second in Belgium, behind Union St Gilloise, the same position they finished in last season.
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But should Celtic pursue their interest in Hayen, they will have to come up with the cash, with Hayen having penned a new contract in Bruges in the summer of 2024.
Speaking only last week, Hayen re-iterated that he was happy in Bruges where Club Brugge are chasing their 20th league title – but he has a long term goal to manage abroad.
And he does have previous in UK football after a little known spell at Haverfordwest in the Welsh Premier League.
An acquaintance he met back then was former Rangers boss Russell Martin, who he met when he was managing nearby at Swansea City.
Hayen said after the 9-1 humbling of Rangers: “I like Russell very much.
“I was in Haverfordwest County when he was in Swansea. We met each other because of Gary Richards (his former assistant at Haverfordwest who previously worked at Swansea).
“I wanted to visit Swansea for two days. He allowed it. But we never found the right date.
“The year after, we arranged a friendly game between the two teams. The game was scheduled. Then I left the club to come to Brugge.
“We spoke a lot. We texted a lot. We stayed always in touch. But of course, tomorrow this doesn’t count.
“He’s a great manager. If you see the results that he got in Swansea and Southampton. It’s a nice step for him over here.
“Of course, there’s a lot of pressure. But I’m sure that he will deal with it.”
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