Take your pick as to which Celtic signing has been the worst during the past 18 months.
Even after Paul Tisdale’s exit, Celtic are still bringing in dross, as the likes of Joel Mvuka and Junior Adamu have proven during the January transfer window.
But when Charlie Mulgrew was speaking about Celtic’s transfer issues in recent times, he was understandably glad that Tisdale is no longer at the club, and how this mess ‘coincides with him being there.’
In October 2024, 12 months after Brendan Rodgers returned to Glasgow, Tisdale was appointed as Head of Football Operations, and Mulgrew added that it was also the start of the end for a certain John Kennedy.
“I heard that when he (Tisdale) was there, John Kennedy lost his say in a lot of stuff, in terms of recruitment, so he made that decision,” said Mulgrew.
“He is now away. They need to get somebody else in to sort that out.”
- READ MORE: Celtic move context shifts as Liverpool’s Andy Robertson outlines plans before 2026 World Cup
It will be fronted by Paul McStay…
Charlie Mulgrew on John Kennedy losing his say on Celtic transfers
Kennedy was a popular man at Celtic, and when Rodgers left in October, what also shocked some people was the exit of their longtime servant.
The former defender is now enjoying himself in the Saudi sun because he is still working under Rodgers, this time in the Saudi Pro League for Al Qadsiah.
But speaking on The Breakdown, Mulgrew explained that Kennedy began having little say on transfers.
“The last 18 months, it has been shocking,” said Mulgrew. “You could list 15 players right now that’s not been good enough.
“Tisdale, it coincides with him being there. Then I heard that when he was there, John Kennedy lost his say in a lot of stuff, in terms of recruitment, so he made that decision. He is now away. They need to get somebody else in to sort that out.”
Is Colby Donovan a shining light amid transfer recruitment mess?
Celtic don’t use their academy enough, and it has been an issue for a long time, including losing highly-rated stars to the big-money English Premier League.
But Mulgrew, who came through the youth setup at Celtic, wants more of the academy players to be given a chance, as he used Colby Donovan’s rise as an example.
“What I would also say is that bringing boys through the academy, they need to be given more of a chance, in my opinion,” added Mulgrew.
“If you look at Colby Donovan, who is the latest to breakthrough if you want to say, he only got his chance because Ralston was injured and Johnston was injured. He got brought up through default, and now he is ahead of Ralston.
“How many players in the Celtic academy have been let go because they haven’t been given the opportunity? There needs to be bravery from the hierarchy to give younger boys a chance, and then move them on.”
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
