Jonny Hayes will split his duties this season as part of both Celtic and Scotland’s coaching set-ups.
The Irishman has been named among a completely revamped youth staff following the A-team’s appointment of Sebastien Pocognoli to replace Steve Clarke who left after World Cup elimination.
The Scottish FA confirmed earlier this afternoon – amid the chaotic aftermath of the Glasgow derby – that Celts had granted Hayes permission to work with the Scotland youngsters during international breaks.
Hayes has been working with Celtic’s B team since July 2024 as assistant boss but is now planning to work a dual role as part of the SFA’s structure which has also brought in other names from around the Scottish game.
Former Dundee United manager Tam Courts will work with ex-Scotland cap Lee Wallace while Rhys McCabe and Peter Leven have also been brought in by chief football officer Craig Mulholland spearheading the changes.
Mulholland made sure to thank Celtic for allowing Hayes to make the move part of his yearly duties.
A statement from the former Nottingham Forest youth chief on the SFA’s website read: “I am delighted to have such a diverse group of coaches working together and complementing one another’s skillsets for the overall benefit of our best talents.
“This is an exciting new era, with an exciting group of coaches.
“We will now work tirelessly with Sébastien and his staff to ensure a new Scotland team identity and way of working is fully aligned across all our age-groups.
General view of a corner flag inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
“I would also like to thank Hearts, Celtic and Brentford for allowing Lee, Jonny and Neil to work with us during the international breaks.”
Hayes’ time as a coach at Parkhead has come amid a raft of changes from the period when he joined until as recent as this season.
The former Aberdeen man had been brought in to assist Stephen McManus in the lead role before the retired centre-half moved into Martin O’Neill’s first-team staff.
Darren O’Dea had initially been part of the same coaching alignment before he moved into a pathway management role.
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