Journalist Explains Celtic’s Transfer Strategy

Mark Guidi has shed light on how Brendan Rodgers and Paul Tisdale operate within Celtic’s recruitment structure, suggesting the pair work closely to identify targets before handing responsibility to the board.

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Celtic’s summer transfer business has been widely criticised, with supporters furious over the lack of early arrivals ahead of the Champions League qualifiers and the failure to replace key departures. With tensions between Rodgers and the hierarchy now at boiling point, recruitment has emerged as the flashpoint in the ongoing stand-off.

Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Guidi outlined what he understands of the process.

“From what I understand, I’ve got insight into a specific transfer at Celtic that actually didn’t go through,” Guidi said. “It didn’t get over the line, but what I understand is that Brendan Rodgers and Paul Tisdale will identify players.

“Now, there are various scouts who will report to Paul Tisdale as their kind of line manager, and then Brendan and Paul will have conversations and identify who they want to go for.

“That particular name or particular names are then given to the board, or probably Michael Nicholson as chief executive in terms of him going to get them over the line.”

The system leaves Rodgers and Tisdale with influence in identifying players, but the final say on signings — including finances and negotiations — rests with the board. It’s a structure that has left the Celtic manager visibly frustrated, with Rodgers stressing that the timing of investment must align with football priorities.

For many supporters, Guidi’s insight only reinforces the view that Celtic’s football department is being undermined by boardroom delays, leaving Rodgers short-changed in key windows.

January is a big window for the board. They need to show that they’ve learned from the mistakes in the summer, and act like a club with intent in January, with the current Celtic squad lacking quality in some areas and depth in others.