Craig Bellamy’s stance on leaving Wales to take Celtic job revealed

Former Celtic player Craig Bellamy has reportedly made his stance clear after emerging as one of the favourites to replace Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers left the Scottish champions after a disappointing start to the season, which left Celtic eight points adrift of Heart of Midlothian.

The 52-year-old’s departure has proved particularly tumultuous, with Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond labelling Rodgers’ behaviour in the months prior to his departure as ‘divisive, misleading, and self-serving’.

Martin O’Neill has taken over the club on an interim basis following Rodgers’ departure, but the 73-year-old insisted his stay will only be temporary until a permanent successor to Rodgers is found.

Ange Postecoglou has also been linked with a return to Celtic after he was sacked by Nottingham Forest earlier this month.

However, sources close to Postecoglou are said to have downplayed the prospect of the 60-year-old agreeing to a second stint at Celtic at this time.

Current Wales manager Bellamy has also emerged as a frontrunner for the job after his impressive start managing his national side.

The 46-year-old, who played for Celtic on loan in 2005, is highly regarded by the Scottish club and is among a number of candidates still being consdered for the role.

However, Sky Sports reports is fully focused on his current role at Wales ahead of a crucial two games in their bid to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

Should Wales win their qualifiers against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia next month, they will finish second in their group and ensure a home playoff semi-final next March.

Bellamy has spoken at length previously about his desire to manage Wales in a World Cup, having missed out on the opportunity as a player, and therefore would likely not be available as an immediate appointment.

Elsewhere, current Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been heavily linked with the role.

McKenna guided Ipswich to consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League, but Celtic would have to fork out a substantial compensation fee to prise the Northern Irishman away from Portman Road.

Asked about the vacancy, the 39-year-old described Celtic as ‘a really big football club’ but said no conversations had been held about a potential switch.

‘I have not had any of those conversations,’ he said. ‘It’s not something I have given any thought to, or where any part of my concentration is this week.

‘I have a special job here at a special club. And we’re at a really important stage of the season. Anything outside of that hasn’t touched my radar.’

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