Rumoured Celtic "target" Mick McCarthy agrees new deal with Cardiff City

By Euan Davidson

March 4, 2021

Cardiff City manager and rumoured Celtic target Mick McCarthy has agreed a contract extension in south Wales.

McCarthy has turned the Bluebirds from relegation candidates into a legitimate play-off side [EFL]. The former Ireland boss has guided his side to 7 wins in their last 8 games, and are unbeaten in 10 [WhoScored?].

The ex-Sunderland and Wolves manager had been tentatively linked to Celtic. Football Insider claimed that McCarthy was on Celtic’s “shortlist” in late February. However, today’s news puts paid to any rumours linking the Yorkshireman with the top job at Celtic Park.

McCarthy spent two years playing for Celtic, before seeing out his career with Lyon and Millwall. The veteran boss is perhaps most famous for his two spells with the Republic of Ireland, who he managed to the latter stages of the 2002 World Cup.

The Cardiff City boss told his club’s official website:

“[Terry Connor] and I have enjoyed every minute of the time we’ve had at this great club so far and we’re delighted to be staying. I’d like to thank Vincent [Tan] for offering us the opportunity to do that.

“The players have responded to us over these past ten games in the manner we hoped they would, and it’s a pleasure working with them each day in training. Credit to them for the efforts they’ve put in so far and the results they’ve earned. They’re enjoying it and deservedly so. I’m very much looking forward to the future.”

Mick McCarthy will be in the Welsh capital for the foreseeable / (Photo by Cardiff City FC/Getty Images)

Mick McCarthy drops out of Celtic race; probably the best result for all concerned

Whether Mick McCarthy was ever a serious contender for Neil Lennon’s old job is debatable in the extreme. With Celtic looking to employ a more modern footballing structure, McCarthy’s old-school approach would’ve been a strange fit. Especially with the Bhoys chasing European football and looking to return to domestic dominance.

Any move for Mick McCarthy is unlikely to have gone down well with supporters. Given that Rafa Benitez and Eddie Howe have been linked, someone like McCarthy would’ve been a huge disappointment. It’s hard to say how season ticket sales would’ve been if the ex-Sunderland boss was the board’s messiah.

This is good news for all concerned. After his disappointment with APOEL Nicosia, the likeable boss needed quick success to keep his stock high in management. Given Cardiff’s recent results, he’s done just that.

Cardiff City supporters, McCarthy himself, and Celtic fans will all be pleased by this.

READ MORE: Why are supporters in the dark over big decisions?