Football: Macari is linked to Celtic vacancy

EXIT Joe Jordan, enter Lou Macari as the new favourite for the manager's seat at Celtic. Confusion reigned at Celtic Park yesterday after Jordan's announcement that he was resigning from his post just 24 hours after Liam Brady had left. Jordan's departure left the club in considerable turmoil before today's game against Dundee at Celtic Park and Frank Connor, the reserve-team coach, has been installed in temporary charge.

Earlier in the day Celtic had been refused permission to approach their former player, Lou Macari, who is now manager of Stoke City, but the fact that Stoke were approached indicates that Macari is the man seen by the board as the next manager.

Peter Coates, the Stoke chairman, said: 'They have been in touch with me and I've told them that Lou is under contract, so any approach from them would be most unwelcome.' For his part Macari refused to be drawn into the speculation. He did talk, though, about his first club's plight: 'They are not doing as well as any Celtic supporter would like. And they are in a position in the league which, probably, they have not been in for a number of years,' he said. 'They will not finish there - that is for certain.'

Jordan's decision to resign was announced after he had taken the morning training session but before he had even picked a team for today. He said: 'People raised their eyebrows when I came here but I was here to assist Liam Brady not to continue after he left.'

Jordan's departure and the speed of it will have surprised even the Celtic board who had indicated to him that the vacant manager's seat would be filled probably by either himself or Lou Macari.

Michael Kelly, the Celtic director, made a veiled criticism of Jordan's decision saying: 'Joe Jordan, who yesterday agreed to take charge of team affairs, has today resigned with Frank Connor taking on those duties for the time being.'

At last night's Celtic AGM, Kelly appeared to offer an olive branch to rebel shareholders by indicating that the board would be prepared to meet other parties in private and in confidence and not through the media as has been the case in the past.

Joe Lovejoy talks to the Dutch coach, Dick Advocaat, Football Diary, Team news, page 50