Charlie Mulgrew says that John Kennedy had a “lot of say” in Celtic’s recruitment.
Kennedy, who won 22 trophies across 11 years as part of the club’s dugout staff, suddenly departed earlier this season.
Overall, his association with Celtic lasted 27 years, but he finally called an end to this after the resignation of Brendan Rodgers. The pair are now back working together in Saudi Arabia.
Mulgrew, who was a year below Kennedy in the Hoops academy, mentioned his involvement in recruitment as he discussed the huge task at hand for the club this summer.
Agree or disagree?
Charlie Mulgrew on Celtic not being a ‘quick fix’ after John Kennedy’s departure
Mulgrew said on the Wee Football Show: “I think, although we say that Celtic and Rangers will get better, I think Celtic’s not a quick fix.
“There’s so much needing done there. Recruitment department, a manager needing to come in, they’re talking about a sporting director…
READ MORE: Tom Allison’s Celtic departure explained: Who he is, what his departure means
“I mean, the recruitment was good for years, and then Paul Tisdale comes in and it’s not good at all. So he moves on.
“Obviously John Kennedy had a big part to play in that. He had a lot of say in the players, so there’s a lot needing sorted at Celtic.
“I don’t think it’s a quick fix, because right now, they’re obviously trying to get over the line and win a league, and then it’s a quick turnaround into the summer.
“So it’s brilliant to see Hearts involved in it. It makes Scottish football so much better.”
Mulgrew’s opinion that Tisdale alone was the reason for Celtic’s downturn in recruitment success is, perhaps, an oversimplification.
Prior to Tisdale, Mark Lawwell held a senior recruitment role, bringing us Odin Thiago Holm, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Gustaf Lagerbielke.
Prior to that, Nick Hammond had overseen the signings of Ismaila Soro, Albian Ajeti, Shane Duffy, Patryk Klimala… I could go on.
What would your message to Dermot Desmond be now that the transfer window has closed
Paul Tisdale’s time at Celtic
Former Exeter City, Bristol Rovers and MK Dons manager Tisdale was named the club’s head of football operations in October 2024.
Prior to this permanent appointment, Tisdale operated as a self-employed football consultant through his company, Tis Talks TEAM, where he referred to himself as a “football doctor”.
An incomplete January transfer window didn’t mark the best start, but the worst was yet to come. The summer transfer window of 2025 united fans against the board to an extent unseen in the 21st century.
When Rodgers suddenly resigned during this storm, Tisdale turned to Wilfried Nancy, with whom he was familiar through mutual friend and assistant manager, Kwame Ampadu.
Having never been seen at a Celtic match during his time in the role, Tisdale increased his visibility after Nancy’s arrival. But the Frenchman’s disastrous 33-day left the writing on the wall for both him and the man who led his appointment.
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