CELTIC have confirmed the appointment of new first team coach Gavin Strachan. The son of former Celtic boss Gordon will replace outgoing coach Damien Duff and is looking forward to beginning his new role as the Scottish Champions look to win 10IAR.
The club confirmed the appointment this evening as Strachan swaps the Assistant manager role at Peterborough for a role with Neil Lennon and John Kennedy as first team coach. Strachan is delighted with the appointment and is excited for the season ahead as the club chase further footballing success.
“It is a huge honour to be appointed to this position with Celtic, such a giant of a Club and a real iconic footballing institution – this really is an opportunity I could simply not turn down. I am hugely excited about getting started with Neil, John and the players as we get ready for the challenges ahead.
“Neil and John have been massive figures in the Club’s 9 in-a-row journey and it will be fantastic to be part of such a great Management and Coaching Team. The Club has had a phenomenal run of success in recent years and I know everyone at Celtic and our supporters will be doing all we can, together, to keep this run going.
“I know we are looking ahead to a really exciting season and for me personally, it is a great time to join this brilliant club. I will work my hardest every day to bring success to the Club.”
Ex-Celtic duo Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea were favourites to the job but Strachan has pipped them as Lennon looks to replace the impressive Duff.
Neil Lennon also spoke about the appointment, praising the talents of Strachan – who will replace Duff, who left due to family reasons.
“We are delighted to bring Gavin to Celtic, he is a brilliant appointment for us and someone I know will work really well with myself, John Kennedy, the players and the rest of our backroom team.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gavin Strachan as the Club's new First Team Coach, with immediate effect.
Welcome to #CelticFC, Gavin! 🍀⚪https://t.co/P8TrxInDv6
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) June 22, 2020
“We had a number of options for the role but Gavin was the outstanding candidate. He is a really talented, experienced, hard working and respected coach and I know he has the right qualities to make a great contribution to the Club. We are all really pleased to welcome Gavin to our team.”
Lennon and Gordon Strachan share a strong relationship and will have been alerted to the talents of Gavin, taking an assistant manager in at first team coach takes a lot of doing and it is an impressive coup for Celtic. Strachan will need to prepare himself for one of the most taxing seasons in living memory as Celtic look to eclipse Jock Stein’s 9IAR record from 1974.
Welcome to Celtic, Gavin.
