Celtic are closing in on the appointment of covered transfer guru Steve Hitchen, according to a report. The Englishman left his role with Tottenham Hotspur in February, having held a role as Director of Technical Performance.
The Scottish Sun claim that Ange Postecoglou is keen on bolstering the recruitment team with the Scottish Champions and Hitchen could take up an advisory role. It is clear that the manager is involved in building a structure at the football club and it’s time that his future is secured by way or a long term contract.
The report states that Postecoglou and Hitchen are said to have mutual friends and this may play a factor in bringing him to the club. Postecoglou has been working towards building the club in his image and this includes behind the scenes. Mark Lawwell joined from the City Group in the summer but Hitchen could offer experience to work alongside the existing team to identify talent as part of Ange’s plan to have a team capable of success in Europe.
Meanwhile, Hitchen, the former Tottenham Hotspur operator, is credited with helping take Luca Modric to White Hart Lane. The Croat midfielder has progressed into one of the best midfielders in world football, as Celtic witnessed last month in the Champions League. Hitchen was also involved in taking Luis Suarez from Ajax to Liverpool, a move that almost took Brendan Rodgers to Premier League glory.
Dermott Desmond and Michael Nicholson must get together and offer the manager a long term deal. The rumours are that the process is underway but it is imperative that he is secured as he is the driving force behind the feel good factor at the football club at the moment.
