Paul Lambert has stated he hates Malky Mackay and claimed the Watford boss was “hopeless” as a player during the build-up for tonight’s crucial game, but all was said in jest and the truth is the pair are not only friends but there is a huge amount of respect between the two young managers after successful seasons for the pair.

Scots Mackay and Lambert played together briefly at Celtic and both have followed successful playing careers with impressive starts to management.

Norwich are currently inside the automatic promotion places despite only returning to the Championship this season and Mackay, who Watford side are eight points from the play-offs, was full of praise for Lambert.

The Hornets manager said: “Paul is doing a brilliant job considering the amount of money that some teams have spent in this division at various times, especially in that January window when vast money has been spent by some clubs on loan players.

“Paul has had some money to spend but nowhere near like some of the other clubs in the top half of the division.

“The momentum of coming up helped them start well but it is about strength of character in a team to make them stay there. They have done that all season, they have been there or there abouts, so barring tomorrow [Tuesday] night, I hope they go on and do really well.”

Lambert was more ‘tongue-in-cheek’ in his praise of Mackay but was still very positive when asked about his former team mate.

"I hate him," Lambert joked, "No, he’s a top lad, a funny lad.

"He was only at Celtic for a short time when I was there and he couldn’t get a game because he was hopeless. Being serious though he was a great lad to have around the dressing room.

“I don’t know what he’s like as a manager but he has done great with Watford and I know people here are big fans of his and rightly so for what he has done."

Mackay joined Norwich City from Celtic in 1998 and captained the club to promotion six years later, although he was sold to West Ham United that summer.

The 39-year-old is delighted to see his former club challenging for promotion but is hoping they have a slip up tonight.

Mackay said: “I spent six good years there and my boy was born up there. There are a lot of good people at the club. I have fond memories of my time there.

“I actually think there are a lot of similarities between Norwich and Watford. Obviously Norwich has got a huge catchment area but the actual club themselves are very similar in terms of the feel of them; the community aspects of the clubs and the people that have worked there for a length of time. It's kind of like a vocation as well as a job.

“I have probably been at Watford for as long as I was at Norwich and they are very similar clubs, so I am delighted at the fact that they are doing so well, and obviously Paul Lambert is a friend of mine, so its good to see them up there and doing well, although obviously not for the 90 minutes tomorrow [Tuesday] night.”

Watford go into tonight’s match with no fresh injury concerns, although Dale Bennett and Michael Bryan remain sidelined.

Mackay said: “Everybody who came through Saturday is ok today [Monday]. We had a couple of knocks and bruises yesterday [Sunday] but everybody trained this morning [Monday] and should be ok to go.

“Stephen McGinn of course will be unavailable again and on Saturday Dale Bennett and Michael Bryan were out and will both be unavailable again. Dale had sickness and is still a bit weak and Michael has a tweaked thigh.”

Watford have a good record against Norwich, having won five of their last seven games against the Canaries, and beat Lambert’s side 3-2 in the opening game of the season.

Hornets defender Adrian Mariappa will make his 200th appearance tonight and it will be Marvin Sordell’s 50th outing in a Watford shirt if he features.

Watford have not won in their last three matches whereas Saturday’s defeat to Swansea City was Norwich’s first defeat in ten.