Mark Cooper’s appointment back in May 2024 was regarded as a step in the right direction for Celtic. Now he has been name-checked by Martin O’Neill as a key figure in the recruitment team currently operating at Celtic in the summer transfer window…
Martin O’Neill has also revealed that Shaun Maloney, after being actively involved on a needs must basis back in January, is no longer tasked with this responsibility and instead will focus on coaching the first team squad.
Maloney and Mark Fotheringham were involved in a stand-off with the club after being lowballed for long term contracts after twice stepping in to save Celtic’s season which as you know ended in spectacular fashion with a league and cup double.
On 8th May 2024 Celtic confirmed that Mark Cooper had joined the club working in the scouting team under Brendan Rodgers. Here’s what Just an Ordinary Bhoy had to say about the appointment…
Celtic yesterday added to their recruitment department by appointing Mark Cooper. The 40 year old Englishman’s area of expertise is scouring for talent in South America, where he was based in a previous role for the club.
This is a smart move by the club to permanently employ the Englishman who was previously working in the MLS. It’s an appointment that is much welcome as our scouting structure has been very underwhelming these past few years. While it’s a good appointment bringing Mark aboard, we shouldn’t rest on our laurels and Mark should be the first of many new faces brought into freshen up the scouting department.
It’s an area that is in dire need of upgrading if we want to keep enjoying the success we’ve been so accustomed to this past decade or so. All the elite clubs in Europe have multiple scouts worldwide, and we shouldn’t be any different. It’s an area that’s been neglected through sheer incompetence for far too long now.
With a new head of recruitment soon to be appointed, the onus should be on the successful candidate to make sure our scouting department is top drawer. We consider ourselves a big club after all, and it’s time that was reflected in our scouting department.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy, like the rest of us, are back waiting for a head of recruitment after the Football Doctor Paul Tisdale was shown the door at the start of January after his role in the Wilfried Nancy debacle. He could be waiting a while as Martin O’Neill also admitted that the club are in no particular rush to fill the role.
“The club are looking at that at this minute. There’s a process but it’s not at the top of the list at this minute,” Martin O’Neill admitted, as reported by Scottish Sun.
“I’ve got a couple of boys in the background who are very good. Mark Cooper has been doing really well for us. He’s identified some really players over the last ten or 12 years. I think he’s filling that type of role, head scout whatever you call it, pretty well,” the Celtic manager revealed.
“The recruitment department send stuff over to us and eventually it’s our say that makes the difference. But Shaun isn’t doing that to the same extent he was before. He was doing six or seven jobs at the time. Now he’s just concentrating on this which is fine.”
One final point that is well worth making. Paul Tisdale left the club just over six months ago yet Celtic hasn’t yet got round to bringing in a replacement and according to Martin O’Neill are in no particular rush to do so.
That effectively rules out a ‘difference maker’ coming in for the summer window so it will be 2027 at the earliest or maybe The 12th of Never as Celtic do what they are actually world class at and that is kicking the can down the road to save a few bob.
HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
1 Comment
So it’s actually down to MoN to sign off upon potential incoming players then, by the sounds of things?
But hasn’t that always been the case, since Nicholson stepped into the position?
We already know that he wouldn’t fill you confidence, upon actually being able to conclude deals whatsoever imo?
Still doesn’t cover the player’s, who might actually want to join ourselves either?
We are left with nothing but rumours, and possibly remain the case with NDA in operation, within the negotiation process?
Even at present, we aren’t entirely sure, upon how MoN even intends on how he wants to set our team up, for next season yet?
Which in turn will effect the type of players we are looking to attract?
Our 1st two friendlies have revealed nothing, except many players, playing out of position? And a total lack of understanding within the partnerships of the shaping of the team?
Can understand trying some experimenting within the start of pre season fixtures?
But can’t, when our team is showing nothing in regards of shape or forming potential partnerships within it?
So at present, we look all over the place, in whatever we are trying to create within a playing structure, and how our team is actually going to be set up?
Maybe things in that regards, might start to become a bit clearer, come Saturday?
But getting a bit more of our players, who will be part of MoN squad plans, actually playing in there chosen positions, within the setting up of our team, would be a welcome start imo?