Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen was put on the spot regarding speculation linking him to the vacant Celtic managerial position…
However, the Club Brugge manager stayed tight-lipped, deflecting the question after his side’s 6-1 victory over Eendracht Aalst Lede in the Belgian Cup. The 45-year-old appears to be on the radar of Celtic’s hierarchy, who are looking to appoint a new permanent manager following Brendan Rodgers’ shock ‘resignation’ on Monday evening.
Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney are temporarily in charge and helped stabilize the Hoops on Wednesday night, leading the Scottish champions to a 4-0 home victory over Falkirk.
How long the duo will continue overseeing first-team matters is still uncertain, and Hayen may well be watching developments in Glasgow closely.
Speaking via Belgian outlet Sporza, Hayen said: “I’ve said before that I know I’m on lists, although I don’t know which ones. As long as nothing is concrete, I don’t need to know about it. I’m happy here and I want to work hard to win my 20th national title. That’s still my goal.”
“Never say never in football, but I’m happy here. As long as you have mutual trust between the club and me, there’s nothing wrong.”
Hayen extended his contract with Club Brugge over the summer, committing to the club until 2028. Should Celtic pursue him, they would be required to provide Club Brugge with a substantial compensation package.
Brugge currently sit second in the Belgian Pro League after 12 games, three points behind reigning champions Union St.Gilloise.
Hayen’s side are also competing in the Champions League after humiliating the latest Ibrox club 9-1 on aggregate over two games during qualifying in August.
The Belgian’s have accumulated three points from three games so far in Europe’s elite club competition, beating Monaco 4-0 whilst also suffering defeats to Atalanta and Bayern Munich. They face Barcelona next week.
Conor Spence
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