Celtic’s hierarchy may be preparing for a major behind-the-scenes overhaul by mirroring the very club currently sitting above them in the table.
Broadcaster Peter Martin claims the Parkhead board are exploring a Hearts-style, data-driven recruitment model as pressure mounts following a turbulent month on and off the pitch.
Hearts’ transformation this season has been one of the main talking points.
With Derek McInnes’ side leading the Premiership and Tony Bloom’s investment powering a new recruitment revolution at Tynecastle, the Jamestown Analytics system, the same data model used by Brighton, is being credited as a key reason behind their rise.
Celtic now trail the league leaders by four points, while still holding a game in hand.
According to Martin, those developments have not gone unnoticed at Celtic Park.
“I am led to believe that they are looking at some kind of similar process to Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics. I think they are looking at a process that deals with that recruitment model.” [PLZ]
Adopting an analytics-first structure would mark a significant shift for Celtic, whose recruitment department has, rightly, faced sustained criticism from supporters.
Fans have grown increasingly frustrated at what they see as outdated practices, wasted transfer windows and a lack of transparency from the boardroom level.
And Martin believes communication remains a massive part of the problem.
“If these things were communicated to supporters, it would be better. And every now and then, it would be good if they could get to an AGM and see Dermot Desmond there and actually speak to him.”
This comes just days after an explosive AGM was abandoned amid protests, red cards and chants aimed at the board, a symbolic moment in what has become a full-blown standoff between supporters and Celtic’s decision-makers.
While Rodgers was Celtic manager, he praised Bloom’s investment:
“I never had any reaction. Tony’s a clever guy; he’s done fantastically in his life and business. I know Tony and his brother Darren.
“If you go back, way back to the time at Brighton when they were coming through the levels and they weren’t even at their own ground.
“The job he did at Brighton is and has been amazing. He’s obviously seen an opportunity at Hearts.
“He’s come in and looked to add his expertise and knowledge and looked to get them up there.
“Hearts is one of the biggest clubs up here and they will want to be challenging and be in European football.
“I didn’t think anything of it (Bloom’s comments). I’ve got enough to worry about with Celtic.”
With Hearts surging this season, Celtic stuttering, and confidence in the hierarchy at its lowest point in years, pressure is now building for the club to back up words with action.
A modernised recruitment system may be part of the solution, but we want more than promises made behind closed doors. Or as Nicholson told fan associations, on a yellow post-it note on his office wall.
Keep Reading
