Reports tonight have suggested that there is a new name in the frame for Celtic’s vacant under 18 manager’s job; Adam Ashgar, the under 21 boss at Southampton. His CV is impressive. Highly so. He is the sort of high-ranking, high-calibre candidate that we should be going for. There is nothing “old pals act” about this, this is a quality individual.
The reports strongly suggest that Rodgers has taken a personal hand in this; advisable, as I pointed out the last time I wrote about this role, when the two favourite to get it were allegedly Jonny Hayes and Charlie Mulgrew, neither one of whom is remotely experienced enough, and perhaps not even properly qualified, to take on the job.
Rodgers needed to own this. Part of his remit is to bring young players through the system and into this team, but he is only able to do that job if those beneath him have coached these kids to a high enough standard to do that. Two ex-Celts who had never performed in such a high-expectation environment were never going to be satisfactory to him.
He knows Scottish football; he served time as a first team coach up here at Dundee Utd. He has performed at a top team; he’s working at one right now, which is well known for developing talent. But it’s at Under 18 level with Sunderland where his real qualifications are obvious; in the 2022-23 season, his side finished second only to the behemoth at Manchester City for that level’s Premier League title. Which is a real feather in his cap.
So, this guy ticks the boxes. This guy has the experience and the quality to come in and take our kids to a different level. Scottish football will still hold us back; our youth development support from the governing bodies is absolutely atrocious, but this is forward thinking and ambitious. This is smart, and it has the boss man’s fingerprints all over it.
Speaking personally, an appointment of this sort would answer a lot of my own questions and concerns about the youth level at Celtic, and what our plans for it are. If we want someone capable of coming in and making a big difference, it’s a guy like this we need to hire, not some Friend of The Man who’s out of work or looking for his first good gig.
It’s time Celtic started getting serious, at every level, and this appointment would be a good start down that necessary road.
Yes agree 100% – celtic need to take a long hard look at themselves , what is going on at our academy , not a lot by the looks of it – jobs for the boys from the boardroom all the way down to the youth coaches , absolutely despicable, can’t believe we haven’t got a young winger who could actually hit the byline in the academy instead of paying 2-£3 million on players overseas who can’t do it !
Hi James,
It is obvious to anyone that in order to bring out the best in POTENTIAL talent (potential has to be realised), you need the best coaches and this guy certainly fits the criteria.
Potential is only ever realised through hard work and determination, and not every young player has the commitment to work hard very day to develop. Especially when they sign a lucrative contract at a young age.
This appointment, if made, shows the club are looking to the future with a realistic viewpoint. Top talent coached by average coaches will become average talent in time.
We need coaches of this calibre right through our youth, Under-21, and B-Team to be able to continue that development right through to the first team.
Let’s hope he gets the job!
The only drawback is that the young players who look to be making the grade get their heads turned and can`t get out the door quick enough. Personally, I would close these so-called academies and buy in the ready made stuff. Any half decent player that has come through now is off as soon as. The latest examples are Vata and Kelly, and in Kelly`s case it looks as if he could have (near) future weight problems. James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney in the past 15 years is hardly something to write home about. The days when young
boys are desperate to play for Celtic are long gone. I often wonder what harm these academies have done to young boys who have their heads turned around 7 years of age and
who then get thrown like used toys on to the scrapheap in their late teens when no longer required.
This was the name i heard some time ago so i was stunned when hayes and mulgrew got a mention.
Ashgar is thegoods
This guy’s credentials look ideal ! This appointment has to be spot on, to try and kickstart our youth set up and bring the quality through! Excellent coaches are very rare and it’s important that we can promote players that DO NOT have their natural talents, coached out of them !
Too often we see and hear of players that are no longer encouraged to beat, or take a man on. Maybe I’m reminiscing of the days, when all your skills were learnt on the streets and you took that into games.
Football is certainly faster, more dynamic and tactical than years ago…not necessarily better or more enjoyable.
Let’s hope Celtic get the right coach and continue to improve all areas of our playing and back room staff.