SCOTSMAN Paul Lambert might return north of the border one day, to pursue his managerial career, but for the moment he is fully committed to Colchester United.

Carl Marston

Lambert has much to

do before returning

By Carl Marston

SCOTSMAN Paul Lambert might return north of the border one day, to pursue his managerial career, but for the moment he is fully committed to Colchester United.

Lambert has been linked with a possible move to Motherwell, if current boss Mark McGhee quits Fir Park to become the new manager of Aberdeen.

However, Lambert is not tempted by a return to his native country just yet - he played for Motherwell for three years in the mid-1990s, before his switch to Germany to help Borussia Dortmund to win the European Cup.

Former Celtic captain Lambert has also been mentioned in connection with the recent vacancy at Celtic Park, before Tony Mowbray became the red-hot favourite to succeed Gordon Strachan.

Lambert is “flattered” to be linked with such high profile jobs, not least because Motherwell chief John Boyle is reported to have targetted Lambert as his No. 1 choice.

But the 39-year-old is focusing all his energies on his first full season as manager of Colchester, following his arrival as Geraint Williams' successor last October.

“I want to get this club (Colchester) up and running,” insisted Lambert.

“We are having to build this club up from scratch! It's all new, which is what I told Robbie Cowling (chairman and owner).

“I want to leave my mark, which means rebuilding everything. That includes the kids and the youth set-up which, as I've said before, is not good enough.

“I've got to rebuild everything in a short space of time, because unlike Layer Road, where everything was in place and the tradition was there, we have to start again at the new stadium.

“I don't want to leave here to go off to Scotland. I want to do it here.

“Of course it's very flattering being linked with the Motherwell job, but I'm happy at Colchester and that's where my future lies,” added Lambert.

Ex-Wycombe boss Lambert is in the process of rebuilding for next season. To date, he has signed winger Ashley Vincent (from Cheltenham) and midfielder David Fox (from Blackpool), and in all he has revealed that he wants to sign “six players” this summer.

That means several departures as well. Sunday-Akanni Wasiu has already left, while Australian international Chris Coyne has revealed his intention to leave, and winger Mark Yeates is attracting interest from Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace.

Furthermore, full-back Phil Ifil and winger Medy Elito could also be on their way from the Community Stadium, although that depends on whether any clubs come in for them.

Lambert continued: “My chairman (Mr Cowling) has been terrific with me and I'm excited about next season.

“I prefer being in England and gaining the experience down here. I had two brilliant years at Wycombe, when we were unlucky to lose in the play-offs, and then Colchester came along.

“I'm not interested in coming back to Scotland at the moment as we've a really good thing going here and League One is going to be extremely competitive.

“It is nice to have your name mentioned when good jobs come up, but it's not for me.”

Speaking about the out-of-favour duo of Ifil and Elito, Lambert said:

“They were both seriously lacking in fitness towards the end of last season.

“I don't want players here who are just in the comfort zone. Whether they (Ifil and Elito) will go depends on whether their agents are any good.

“Circulars were sent out to clubs saying that they were available, but we had nothing come back.

“I have had no firm offers for any of my players,” added Lambert.