Celtic exit ‘close’ for Brendan Rodgers staffer after talks with Hoops manager

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Celtic are approaching the summer transfer window and it means speculation is beginning to increase surrounding outgoings.

Reo Hatate has been linked with Udinese, while Nicolas Kuhn has reportedly attracting interest from Leeds United and Newcastle United.

Celtic don’t need to worry about that just yet though with three games still to go this season, one of which the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.

But it does appear the Hoops are set to wave goodbye to one of their staffers very soon.

• READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers reacts as the SPFL name Celtic boss the Premiership Manager of the Season

Darren O’Dea to Swansea City talks reach ‘advanced stage’

That man is Darren O’Dea, who is currently Celtic’s professional player pathway manager having been promoted to that role following a stint as Celtic B boss.

O’Dea is wanted by EFL Championship outfit Swansea City, who are now co-owned by Real Madrid and Croatia legend Luka Modric.

Alan Sheehan is the manager of the Welsh side and is keen for O’Dea to be his assistant manager. Now, a deal is said to be close between Celtic and Swansea for O’Dea’s move south.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims talks between the two clubs are at an “advanced stage and an agreement is close.”

Rodgers spoke with O’Dea over Swansea switch

At his pre-Hibs press conference last week, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that O’Dea approached him to discuss the potential move to the Swans.

Rodgers was manager of the team between 2010 and 2012, so he knows a thing or two about working for the club.

The Northern Irishman said: “I spoke to Darren yesterday (last Thursday) on that. He came to see me and get my thoughts on what that would be, what it would look like.

“Obviously, I know Swansea as a club and a city better than most. So, yes, I think that there may well be a possibility of him to go as a coach. I think in his heart, he still sees himself as that.

“Probably the role he’s in now is probably only do-able at a club like Celtic. But I think his heart is in coaching and maybe the possibility to manage later on.

“So, yes, he just asked my opinion on it. And, yes, so we’ll see what happens on that.”