Malky is a prize fighter
over Rangers at the top of the Premiership. But Mackay’s side showed terrific form to break into the top six and Postecoglou has been impressed by the job he’s done in the Highlands.
The Celtic gaffer - who will also be touted for the gong - picked out other managers for praise, including Old Firm rival Gio van Bronckhorst.
But he reckons Mackay is a leading contender.
Postecoglou said: “I haven’t thought a lot about it but Malky has done a great job.
“He’s been brilliant for Ross County. At the start of the year, most people wrote them off a little bit.
“He’s not only improved their results, he’s got Ross County into the top six playing good football.
“It’s a credit to him that he stuck to it. I’m sure he’ll be motivated to get them as high up the table as possible now. He’s been fantastic for them.
“But Davie Martindale and Robbie Neilson have also done brilliant jobs at their respective clubs. And Gio has done a good job too.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou has revealed that forgotten Irish defender Liam Scales is fit and available for selection.
The 23-year-old, who signed from Shamrock Rovers, made 13 appearances before February but hasn’t kicked a ball since Celtic’s Europa Conference League defeat to Bodo Glimt.
Scales hasn’t been involved in Celtic’s Premiership squad for the past two months, sparking rumours of an injury.
But Postecoglou says the Irishman has trained well, despite not being picked.
And he admits it’s just one area of the team he’ll look at when it comes to Celtic’s summer recruitment.
He said: “Liam is fine, he’s training well. But sometimes, in terms of team balance, he hasn’t made the bench.
“But he’s available and training well.
“There are still a few areas we need to look at. We’re still rebuilding the squad and I want us to be stronger next year in terms of quality.
“We’re in a better place than we were 12 months ago but we still have to strengthen.”