Richard Hughes has emerged as a potential Celtic appointment in the next few days alongside Eddie Howe. The 41-year-old played for Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Scotland becoming the technical director at The Cherries with Howe.
Hughes, born in Glasgow, made over 180 appearances during his time with Bournemouth and worked closely on transfers with Howe during his eight-year tenure. However, an interview from 2009 has emerged with Hughes admitting his love for Celtic as well as his favourite player – former captain Paul Lambert.
“I was born on the green side of Glasgow. As soon as my mum and I were fit enough to fly, we returned to Milan – where my dad and brother were.
“You don’t get a say in which team you support.You are born and, before you know it, you get a Celtic shirt and scarf and go to your first Old Firm game.”
Hughes scored against Celtic in a pre-season game back in 2002, he said it was special to play against his boyhood club, especially as his hero, Paul Lambert, was playing.
“It was brilliant to play against Celtic. Paul Lambert was my hero and I managed to play against him, so it was a special evening.”
Meanwhile, Celtic fans are bracing themselves for a wave of appointments with the news that Howe is in advanced talks with the club. Howe is expected to have made his own demands regarding staff and a transfer kitty to ensure a competitive rebuild in the summer as Celtic target regaining the league title. There is a possibility that Hughes’ role at the club, should it transpire, will be a recruitment based position whilst Director of Football favourite Fergal Harkin will be tasked with overseeing the ‘big picture’ of the football club.
I think it’s important we get Harkin, regardless of this development. With a revamped Ch league qualification, new EU rules etc, we need someone who will be there long after Howe departs and that may not be Hughes. It’ll be up to McKay and Desmond to figure out how they can be accommodated. Fingers crossed