Celtic set to end 20-year partnership with big backroom change after Brendan Rodgers’ exit

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Celtic are set to continue to make backroom changes as the club looks set to appoint a new head of academy.

Martin O’Neill takes charge of Celtic on a temporary basis as the club looks to find a permanent heir to Rodgers this month.

Rodgers left Celtic under a cloud of controversy as the former Hoops boss tendered his shock resignation and O’Neill is the man being charged to calm down the storm.

And now, after Celtic hired Mark Fotheringham as a first-team coach, it appears the club is set to make another big change just days after Rodgers’ Parkhead exit.

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Celtic to appoint Steven Hammell as Head of Academy

Celtic are set to replace Chris McCart as the Head of Academy, which could effectively end a 20-year relationship with the youth coach

The Daily Record reports that the club are set to appoint Steven Hammell as the new Celtic Academy chief as big changes continue behind the scenes.

Hammell joined Celtic in 2023 as the new head of coaching in a role that was backed by Ange Postecoglou before he left Celtic for Spurs.

The move will take place at the end of the season and it is likely that McCart will leave the club after spending 20 years as part of the Hoops’ backroom staff.

How Chris McCart shaped the development of players at Celtic’s academy

McCart was the head of Celtic’s Academy for the last 12 years and he helped implement one of the biggest changes to the club’s development of young players.

The academy man was front and centre as Celtic B launched themselves into the Lowland League back in 2021.

McCart said of the move at the time, “I think throughout academy life you have a very strong games programme up until about 17 years of age. Then there’s this gap, a void, to the first team. We’ve been fortunate to use the loan system there to get players experience. But there’s never been a strong games programme. We’ve been at the forefront to try and establish it in Scottish football.

“For the young players in Scotland, they need a programme that tests them. We’re very grateful to the Lowland League clubs. It’s one we’re excited about. There will be a good challenge for young players.

“We’ll go with predominately a younger side than we would have previously expected but the experience of going to different grounds, competing for three points, playing a game on a Saturday and that preparation through the week, the league table. It’s something the club have been striving for.

“That’s the type of experience we want to give young players. You need to get them ready for when they do get that first-team opportunity. It gives them every chance. We’re hoping to grow and develop these young players. We want to create interest in this team.”