Fergal Harkin to Celtic edges closer after Irishman rejects other approach

Fergal Harkin is nearing a deal to become the new Director of Football at Celtic. The Daily Record reports that sources in Ireland claim that the Irishman decided against a new role with Belgian side Lommel, a City Group club, leaving him free to move to Glasgow as the chief of footballing operations.

A deal is in the place to bring Eddie Howe to the club as the new manager and Harkin is expected to help implement a new strategy within the football department at the club with Howe as boss. Bournemouth’s Technical Director Richard Hughes is expected to follow Howe to Celtic but it is believed that he will be in a scouting capacity as opposed to Director of Football.

Harkin has long since been the leading candidate for the DoF role. The 44-year-old has spent 11 years with the City Football Group as they have grown to become one of football’s prominent forces, mainly thanks to shrewd recruitment across the board. Harkin is the Football Partnerships Manager at City and is highly rated for his extensive transfer network. City and Celtic have enjoyed a close relationship in recent years and Harkin is believed to be a Celtic supporter.

Harkin is expected to bring a number of City analysts and scouts with him as part of the incoming overhaul at Celtic Park. Harkin has helped find and provide professional development pathways to a number of young players. He is potentially the most attractive candidate given the amount of influence he has with the Etihad club. The links that City have across the world are phenomenal and Harkin has helped cultivate that.

Howe meanwhile will be hoping to agree the deals for Hughes as well as coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone. The Celtic support will be wondering when the announcement of both roles is due as the club continue to stall on the announcement whether for contractual reasons or whether a deal is not completed, it remains unclear.