McNamara slams Deila over Gary Mackay-Steven

Gary Mackay-Steven signed a pre-contract with Celtic yesterday. Picture: SNS

Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara last night insisted that Celtic-bound Gary Mackay- Steven is determined to bow out on a high at Tannadice – then hit out at Ronny Deila.

The winger signed a pre-contract with the Parkhead club yesterday to end speculation over his future as he prepares to join Deila’s men in the summer. The 24-year-old is still going to be a key man for United in the run-in, with the Tannadice club third in the league and still involved in both the League Cup and Scottish Cup.

And McNamara, who criticised Deila for making public his interest in landing Mackay-Steven earlier in the week, believes the fans’ favourite can sign off in style by lifting some silverware. McNamara said: “He’ll want to end on a high. It will possibly help him to have his future settled rather than the uncertainty of running down his contract.”

McNamara was less than pleased with Deila after he expressed interest in signing Mackay-Steven. Former Celtic skipper McNamara said: “I’m not comfortable with it. I like to speak about players behind the scenes and I don’t think it’s right to speak publicly about it.

“He’s got his own way of doing things but I wouldn’t want to speak about one of his players under contract.”