Paul Tisdale
Paul Tisdale the manager of Bristol Rovers looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Second Round match between Bristol Rovers and Darlington FC at the Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2020 (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“It’s a huge honour,” Paul Tisdale, Celtic’s new ‘football doctor’

Paul Tisdale has now officially been appointed as Celtic’s Head of Football Operations by Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson working closely with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers…

Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson
Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, seen here at Celtic’s recent visit to Dingwall, rejected £75k to allow Premier Sports to broadcast the Celtic v Aberdeen game this weekend because it would have meant a change of kick-off time, Photographs by Vagelis Georgariou

The Englishman helped the club during the summer regarding recruitment, and has now been placed in permanent charge of looking after the club when it comes to player development and performance, while also having a big say in recruitment.

Described as a ‘football doctor’ Paul is highly regarded and will bring great experience gained from time as a player and manager in a long and distinguished career.

Tisdale should be well worth the wait 

This is a role that’s been long overdue to be filled since Mark Lawwell departed last March. It’s not acceptable that it’s took this long to get someone in place, but if Paul is the right man then it will have been well worth the wait.

He will need to get to work straight away and hopefully improve us on the recruitment front both at first team and youth level.

It’s an area we’ve been lacking ‘competence’ in for quite some time, and hopefully Paul is the man to put that right. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the Celtic supporters when I wish Paul the best of luck in his new role.

Here are the thoughts of Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, manager Brendan Rodgers and the man himself Paul Tisdale, all speaking to the official Celtic FC website.

Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson
Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heartsat Celtic Park Stadium on May 04, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson had this to say about the appointment of Paul Tisdale as Celtic’s Head of Football Operations…

“We are delighted to appoint Paul as Head of Football Operations, and we are sure he will bring a new dimension to our work.  Talent identification and talent development, from our Academy through to our first team, is of fundamental importance to the club’s strategy, and Paul has tremendous expertise in these areas.’

“We are certain that he will bring great experience, energy and innovation to what we do, working alongside Brendan, our football manager, Chris McCart Head of Academy and our excellent wider football staff, to bring further development and success to the club.”

Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, acknowledges the fans prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and SK Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park on September 18, 2024.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers outlined his thoughts on Tisdale’s arrival at the Scottish Champions…

“I am so pleased that we have been able to bring Paul to the club in this important new role and I am really looking forward to working with him. He is a hugely talented man who I know will make a real positive difference to us and give us a new edge.’

“He knows modern football inside out, he understands what we need as a club, what our team needs to operate at a high level, and how we can develop positively and successfully across a number of functions within the club.

“I have known Paul for some time and have been well aware of his work. I know that he will be a huge asset to Celtic and that his knowledge, talent and tremendous work ethic will be crucial to us as we drive forward across a number of areas, always with the aim of delivering higher performance and more and more success.”

Paul Tisdale
Paul Tisdale the manager of Bristol Rovers looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Second Round match between Bristol Rovers and Darlington FC at the Memorial Stadium on November 29, 2020 (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

And last but not least Paul Tisdale spoke of his own delight at joining the finest team in Scotland…

“It is a huge honour to accept this new role at Celtic and join a club of such pedigree and stature. I can’t wait to join the team, to begin my work and deliver positive results. Celtic demands and deserves excellence across all areas and I know that that is something the Board and Brendan seek at all times.

In my role I will be doing all I can to further develop our work across talent identification, development and analytics, always with the aim of ensuring high-level support of football performance.’

“Having knowledge already of Celtic, I know there are so many quality, authentic  people at the club all pulling in the same direction and passionate for success. I look forward to joining them as we work together to deliver excellence for the club and our supporters.”

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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