Former Celtic star leaves Liverpool as behind the scenes Saudi Pro League role offers new challenge
Latest former Celt has joined the Pro League
Former Celtic striker Mark Burchill has reportedly left his behind the scenes role at English Premier League giants Liverpool for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
The ex Birmingham City and Portsmouth marksman was a chief scout at Bournemouth before he was snapped up in March 2024 by Reds Technical Director Richard Hughes - who has also left to join Al-Hilal. Burchill is set to become Director of Recruitment at his new employers, while Hughes will take up the same role he had at Anfield.
The pair will be battling former Celtic bosses Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers for the Pro League title this season. The former joined champions Al-Nassr in the summer, while Rodgers was named Al-Qadsiah boss in December. Ex Hoops players Jack Hendry and Moussa Dembele are also currently plying their trade at Al-Ettifaq in the same division.
Burchill leaves Liverpool for Saudi
According to the Athletic, Burchill has left Merseyside for Al-Hilal in a large behind the scenes overhaul. Along with Burchill and Hughes, Liverpool’s Head of Scouting Operations Craig McKee is also set for Al Hilal - who signed the likes of Aston Villa hero Ollie Watkins and Arsenal icon Gabriel Martinelli during the summer window.
Burchill helped Liverpool win the 2024/25 Premier League title under then manager Arne Slot - who was appointed by Hughes after the legendary tenure of Jurgen Klopp. Since Burchill has been at the club, they’ve spent around £700m on the likes of attackers Aleksander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike among others. On leaving Anfield, Hughes said: "It has been a source of great pride to have been given the opportunity to serve this incredible and unique institution. That is something I will always be grateful for."
What is Burchill remembered for at Celtic?
The former Scotland international left Celtic Park 25 years ago for English side Portsmouth, where he played alongside Hughes. Burchill scored 20 goals in 50 Hoops appearances including a record-breaking three goals in two minutes and 42 seconds against Luxembourg side Jeunesse Esch in a UEFA Cup qualifier, which remains the fastest ever hat-trick in a European competition to this day.
He left Fratton Park in 2005 and became something of a football journeyman after that, featuring for seven different clubs in a decade including Hearts, Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Livingston. After finishing his playing career at Almondvale, he briefly tried his hand at management before becoming a scout.
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