Johan Mjallby would return to Celtic if asked in the summer

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Former Celtic player and coach Johan Mjallby has confirmed that he would return to the club if asked this summer.

Mjallby is one of the great centre-backs of the last 20 years for Celtic. He spent six years at Parkhead between 1998 and 2004. It was during that period he and Neil Lennon struck up a clear relationship with each other.

The duo won plenty together on the park, but their relationship off it was perhaps even more successful. Mjallby, of course, spent time as Lennon’s assistant back in the Northern Irishman’s first spell in charge of the club between 2010 and 2014.

And, speaking to Simon Ferry’s Open Goal programme, when asked whether he would return if asked by Lennon this summer, Mjallby simply replied saying “Oh most definitely, yes”

Lennon and Mjallby were a roaring success together as a management duo. The pair managed to collect three Scottish Premiership titles and two Scottish Cups. Their ventures in Europe, however, was perhaps the most memorable aspect of their tenure.

Celtic reached the Champions League on two occasions under Lennon and Mjallby. They also managed the last-16 in the 2012-13 season, recording that historic 2-1 win over Barcelona in the group stage.

An interesting decision for Lennon should he get it

We all know there’s no guarantee Lennon will get the job. Some will want him, and some won’t. Whether the board decide he’s the right man to take us forward remains to be seen.

But if he does get it, he would have a huge decision on his hands.

Lennon has been full of praise for current assistant manager John Kennedy. He’s been Lennon’s right-hand man since Brendan Rodgers left the club in February. With Damien Duff also having been promoted to first-team coach, the spots are filled for now.

Would Lennon push Kennedy back down to his first-team coach role and bring in Mjallby? That could potentially see Duff go back to his original role as a youth coach.

Don’t forget that Mjallby also worked under Lennon at Bolton too. He’s been with the Northern Irishman through good times and bad in his managerial career.

If Lennon gets the job, someone is going to be disappointed regarding the assistant’s role.