Celtic have no plans to publish Strachan's Strategic Review

Gordon Strachan’s consultancy role designed to look under the bonnet at Celtic’s Academy, women’s team and B-Team structures certainly made its way into the public domain.

Celtic seemed keen for it to be known the internal workings of the football structure were being examined, under pressure do so, meanwhile Strachan’s apparent conflict of interest, as he was also employed by Dundee, filled column inches for a good few days at the time.

Now according to The Cynic’s Keith McGinty the recent Fans Forum discussed a number of issues and the outcome of Strachan’s ‘review’ was raised, however perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised to hear the announcement may have been made public, however the outcome? Well, that’s a different matter.

David Moyes and Gordon Strachan Copyright: Ian Rutherford

“The review carried out by Gordon Strachan is for internal use and no plans for publication just now. Thank you for all questions and points.”

The appointment of Gordon Strachan to carry out the review did attract criticism, in part because anything involving Strachan seems to be a divisive issue, and rather unfairly, amongst the support, but also because in a footballing landscape that has changed markedly in the last ten to fifteen years Strachan was viewed as a man out of touch. Whether that is fair or not is of course open to debate.

For Celtic however not to even release a brief summary of the report’s finding seems a strange one, after all what is there to hide?

No-one is asking for the blueprint for how the findings will be tackled going forward, but some communication on the issue of modernisation, a subject that concerns many within the support would have been welcomed. Instead, the political play-book of the 21st century comes into play, announce the investigation and take the kudos, but bury the results and avoid the analysis.

Mark McGhee’s first home game as Dundee manager ended in humiliation as the Scottish Premiership’s bottom side were dismantled by Livingston.

— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) February 26, 2022

There is however no foundation in the rumour Gordon Strachan has recommended Paul Telfer for the role of Director of Football..or did he? Last week he recommended Mark McGhee to the Dundee board who yesterday attended the first home match with the former Aberdeen and Celtic striker in charge. They lost 4-0 to Livingston and McGhee once again ended up arguing with a young supporter.

Dundee manger Mark Mcghee not happy with a fan today pic.twitter.com/QU3LdIFAAD

— Scottish Football Away Days (@days_scottish) February 26, 2022

A quick review of the women’s structure at Celtic, we are currently operating on a budget less than half what theRangers are spending and that allowed them to sign numerous top international players and so far this season they have been unbeaten in the league. Celtic travel across the city to play them this afternoon having knocked them out of both cup competitions.

Fran Alonso. Image Credit: Colin Poultney – Collarge Images.

However Celtic are trailing in the league in third place and our chances of winning the league have essentially ended and Fran Alonso – clearly the best coach in the league – has already conceded this.