Celtic appoint 'hugely talented' former EFL boss after Crystal Palace and Fulham consultancy stints

Celtic have appointed Paul Tisdale as their Head of Football Operations. The 51-year-old has joined the Glasgow side following a spell as a self-employed consultant.

He worked with Premier League sides such as Fulham and Crystal Palace. However, the Malta-born man has now decided to take on a new challenge in Scotland.

Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson has said: “We are delighted to appoint Paul as Head of Football Operations, and we are sure he will bring a new dimension to our work. Talent identification and talent development, from our Academy through to our first team, is of fundamental importance to the club’s strategy, and Paul has tremendous expertise in these areas.

“We are certain that he will bring great experience, energy and innovation to what we do, working alongside Brendan, our football manager, Chris McCart Head of Academy and our excellent wider football staff, to bring further development and success to the club.”  

Tisdale spent his playing days as a midfielder for the likes of Bristol Rovers, Southampton and Bristol City before hanging up his boots in 2011. He then delved into the managerial world with Team Bath before landing the Exeter City job.

He spent 12 years in charge of the Grecians. He later had spells in the dugouts at MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Stevenage before delving into consultancy.

New Celtic role

Celtic will hope Tisdale can help make their operations behind the scenes more streamlined. Brendan Rodgers has said: “I am so pleased that we have been able to bring Paul to the club in this important new role and I am really looking forward to working with him. He is a hugely talented man who I know will make a real positive difference to us and give us a new edge.

“He knows modern football inside out, he understands what we need as a club, what our team needs to operate at a high level, and how we can develop positively and successfully across a number of functions within the club. 

“I have known Paul for some time and have been well aware of his work. I know that he will be a huge asset to Celtic and that his knowledge, talent and tremendous work ethic will be crucial to us as we drive forward across a number of areas, always with the aim of delivering higher performance and more and more success.”

Meanwhile, following his switch to Celtic Park, Tisdale has said: “It is a huge honour to accept this new role at Celtic and join a club of such pedigree and stature. I can’t wait to join the team, to begin my work and deliver positive results. Celtic demands and deserves excellence across all areas and I know that that is something the Board and Brendan seek at all times.

“In my role I will be doing all I can to further develop our work across talent identification, development and analytics, always with the aim of ensuring high-level support of football performance.' Having knowledge already of Celtic, I know there are so many quality, authentic  people at the club all pulling in the same direction and passionate for success. I look forward to joining them as we work together to deliver excellence for the club and our supporters.”