According to Football Insider’s football finance guru, Kieran Maguire, Celtic will continue to prioritise the European market for recruitment in the summer despite the obstacles presented by Brexit.
Speaking to another of the outlet’s correspondent’s, Adam Williams, Maguire said: “I think they (Celtic) are aware of the post-Brexit market, which is going to be tougher for clubs in Scotland who have historically been able to recruit using freedom of movement.
“You think about the likes of Dembele, Edouard and so on, Celtic’s model has been to develop those players and then sell them on.
“It’s going to be harder to get those players in so therefore you need someone with a greater experience of the market who can put a case towards the Home Office for players to come to Celtic.
“From a professional point of view, it’s a very logical step. It’s indicative of a club that is adapting to a new environment and new circumstances in which we’re now operating.”
The comments come in the wake of Manchester City loan manager Fergal Harkin being shortlisted for a sporting director’s role at Paradise. Also on the reported shortlist is ex-Bournemouth recruitment chief David Webb and Juventus scout Matteo Tognozzi.
Each of those men have experience navigating a European market. However, Celtic’s focus appeared to have shifted to England in recent months. Indeed, the Hoops signed Jonjoe Kenny on loan from Everton, whilst they worked on pre-contract arrangements with Liam Shaw of Sheffield Wednesday and Ben Davies at Preston (now at Liverpool). Perhaps the sale of Jeremie Frimpong to German club, Bayer Leverkusen, has rekindled the Bhoys faith in getting deals complete on the continent.
It remains to be seen if such revelations are true.
