CHRIS SUTTON has hinted a perceived power shift at Celtic after the latest recruit came aboard.
Nicky Hammond was given the head scout job by Peter Lawwell after impressing during the summer window when he came in on a temporary basis.
Unlike his predecessor – it looks like Lawwell has at least appeared to solve the disconnect between recruitment and finance which was prevalent during Rodgers rein with Lee Congerton at the wheel.
We reported earlier today one journalist claimed Lee Congerton was bringing in players for negotiations who were out with what Celtic could afford – wasting a lot of time and not getting the job done.
Hammond looks like he will have more power than Congerton and Chris Sutton even hints at a power shift in the Celtic hierarchy because of the move.
Hammond is likely not just coming in to find players to pass onto Neil Lennon – he will be directly in charge of finding players within our budget and be responsible for approaches and part of the negotiations.
It’s a big step for Peter Lawwell if true and Sutton recognises that in his RecordSport Column.
“Nicky Hammond won’t be laying on goals, sticking the ball in the back of the net or even keeping it out.
“But Celtic’s new head of football operations is still one of the most important signings of the season.
“We have yet to discover Hammond’s actual remit beyond the fancy and unfathomable title.
“But it does look like he has been handed the keys to Celtic Park by Peter Lawwell.
“Hammond getting the gig permanently should give Celtic stability and it sounds like he has a good working relationship with Neil Lennon.
“The interesting thing is the grand title. It looks like he has been given a lot of power. It could be seen as a sign of Lawwell gradually taking a step back.
“I doubt he would let anyone else take the wheel but there’s not much point in just appointing a puppet.
“If the chief executive has liked what Hammond has suggested in terms of the structure of the club and the work he has done, then he has to have full trust in his new man to hand him the reins.
“A manager is only as good as his recruitment and Hammond has to give Lennon the tools to win nine in a row – but also to shake off this perception Celtic are now a Europa League club.”
