'Celtic job doesn't appeal' says Lambert, as his defensive options grow after Col U ressies clash

City boss Paul Lambert has uttered the words Canary fans were desperate to hear – “I won’t leave Norwich for Celtic.”

There has been some talk north of the border of a return to the club where Lambert spent eight years as a player, with current boss Tony Mowbray struggling to win over the Bhoys support.

The Celtic Park club are a whopping 10 points behind Rangers, and their bitter rivals from across the city still have a game in hand.

Despite some high profile signings, notably the loan addition of Robbie Keane, the Hoops have struggled to get close to their Glasgow neighbours all season.

And with the title as good as on its way to Ibrox, some sections of the Celtic support have muttered Lambert’s name as a contender for the hot-seat.

But the man who skippered the Bhoys in a European final – the Uefa Cup loss to Porto in Seville seven years ago – has dismissed a return to his homeland.

“I had eight terrific years at Celtic but there comes a time when you have to cut your ties,” he told the Daily Record.

“I still look for Celtic’s result and Seville will always remain the biggest disappointment in my football career.  But the idea of coming back doesn’t appeal to me.”

His latest comments will certainly ease the nerves of the City support and while Lambert may fly the nest if he keeps up the good work at Carrow Road, it certainly seems like we can rule out a switch to Celtic Park in the near future.

And the Norwich chief – who has overseen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in Norfolk with City now sitting at the top of League One – revealed that, as proud as he is of his roots, England is the place to be.

“I mean no disrespect to Scottish football but England is just a bigger place. I’m proud of my Scottish heritage but a move back home is not for me.

“The idea of playing the same club anything from four to six times a season doesn’t appeal to me.”

Elsewhere, there was good news on the injury front for the Canary boss, with Jens Berthel Askou coming through another reserves test at Colney yesterday.

Ian Crook’s second string put in a much-improved showing in a 1-1 draw with a strong Colchester United outfit.

And despite Kevin Lisbie’s late equaliser, cancelling out a first-half effort from Luke Daley – also returning from a spell on the sidelines – Lambert and Co will take many positives from the encounter, with Askou surely now ready for a first-team return.

He’ll have a job to get in though, with Gary Doherty and Michael Nelson in good form, but after completing the 90 minutes along with Michael Spillane – who is also coming back from an injury lay-off – City now have plenty of options in the backline.

City: Steer, Spillane, D Stephens, Askou, Francomb, Tudur Jones (Gordon 61), Lathrope, Adeyemi, Dawkin, Daley (Drmola 46), Kelly.  Sub not used: Oakley.