Celtic fans don’t seem too convinced by the temporary appointment of Nick Hammond. The Englishman is expected to replace departed head of recruitment Lee Congerton, but only on a short-term basis.
The club say that Hammond will join on July 1st “to work with the club, initially across the summer period”.
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/EuroFootball/Getty Images)
Hammond has enjoyed key roles at two English clubs in recent years. He was previously director of football at Reading and technical director at West Bromwich Albion.
He has a decent track record at those clubs. However, these Celtic fans aren’t too impressed with the apparent trial basis of the move.
Celtic have appointed a director of football for the summer? What is going on at Celtic Park? This looks like panic stations, an absolute shambles.
— Glokta (@Alfieshelby) June 20, 2019
Nicky Hammond brought in as a summer temp. This pre-season is full of laughs. https://t.co/9kMJq1DmWz
— Kieran Caw (@Kieran_Celtic) June 20, 2019
A Director of Football coming in to work "over the summer"…? What's this? His Maw doesn't want him around the house so has asked his Da to get him a wee summer job to keep him busy? 😂
— 🍔 Gastro Celtic 🍀 (@Gastro_Celtic) June 20, 2019
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic are in full blown banter mode at the moment. Giving out summer jobs now
— Blue McGoo (@bluemcgooRFC) June 20, 2019
Nick Hammond player recruitment summer only doesn’t start until 11 days time absolutely fantastic Celtic never learn from last year got caught out in the Champions league qualifiers. 👏👏👏
— Eddy bhoy (@1989Eddy) June 20, 2019
Celtic are really bizarre this summer. A trialist Director of Football?!
— Dee (@cardboardjonny) June 20, 2019
Verdict
The whole move seems a bit bizarre from the outside looking in. The club aren’t exactly sending out an assured message by getting Hammond in on an initial short-term deal. Our recruitment is of paramount importance this summer and it’s extremely worrying that the club don’t seem to be treating it as such.
(Photo by Adam Fradgley – AMA/Getty Images)
The fact Hammond won’t be in post until the start of July adds further confusion. We should be looking to have a fair bit of our summer business tied up by the end of this month with European qualifiers soon to come.
Sending out the message that our recruitment will only properly start then is another worrying development.
Subscribe to 67 Hail Hail TV now