Celtic’s Mystery Man Paul Tisdale breaks cover

Paul Tisdale has made a rare media appearance- promoting the Testimonial events for Exeter’s Irish defender Pierce Sweeney.

Celtic’s Head of Football Operations signed the young defender from Bray Wanderers in July 2016, setting him on his way in the English game with a very solid career of over 300 appearances across the divisions.

Tisdale created a video to promote yesterday’s match against Swansea City and was back in town for the match followed by a Testimonial Dinner.

Meanwhile over in Como Brendan Rodgers was  completing Celtic’s pre-season training still waiting for replacements for the goals lost by the departures of Kyogo Furuhashi and Nicolas Kuhn.

Ben Nygren has settled in quickly, he looks a well sourced signing, joining  with six months left to run on his contract with Nordsjaelland.

Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada have a bit about them, they can pass and move and should fit into Celtic’s system far better than the job-lot that Mark Lawwell presented Rodgers with in the summer of 2023.

The Celtic priority is moving forward, being in a strong position for the Champions League Play Offs on August 19/20 and 26/27 then kicking on from last season’s campaign in that competition.

On that front Rodgers has been sold short, he expressed the hope of having three new signings over the summer months, the squad has stood still, defence is stronger with Kieran Tierney, midfield has been boosted by Nygren but the forward areas are badly lacking in quality and depth.

Celtic’s style of play requires four wingers to be on form, last night in Como Marco Tilio was one of those four, being held back from a move to Rapid Vienna due to a complete lack of alternatives.

In this day and age of communications people can work remotely but with the start of the SPFL a week away and a Champions League qualifier three matches away Tisdale should be on the job 24/7.

Part of the concern felt by Celtic supporters is the complete lack of communications from the club.

Self styled Football Doctor Tisdale had plenty to say ahead of joining Celtic, he was on TalkSPORT last July mentioning how he had been at Celtic’s pre-season friendly against Queens Park, three months later he had a new title at Celtic. Followed by complete silence, a profile on a par with Michael Nicholson.

Legend Paul Tisdale’s got a message you don’t want to miss!

Join the legends at the Testimonial Dinner👉 https://t.co/xa3y59WBgs

Or book our Irish Brunch+cream tea+match ticket for £35👉 https://t.co/JLmGycEI99

Dinner reservations ends in 2 days#PS26 #SweeneyTestimonial #ECFC pic.twitter.com/siJZVscwto

— Pierce Sweeney Testimonial (@ps26testimonial) July 13, 2025

Nicholson on Tisdale

We are delighted to appoint Paul as Head of Football Operations, and we are sure he will bring a new dimension to our work.

Talent identification and talent development, from our Academy through to our first team, is of fundamental importance to the club’s strategy, and Paul has tremendous expertise in these areas.’

We are certain that he will bring great experience, energy and innovation to what we do, working alongside Brendan, our football manager, Chris McCart Head of Academy and our excellent wider football staff, to bring further development and success to the club.

Rodgers on Tisdale

I am so pleased that we have been able to bring Paul to the club in this important new role and I am really looking forward to working with him.

He is a hugely talented man who I know will make a real positive difference to us and give us a new edge.’

He knows modern football inside out, he understands what we need as a club, what our team needs to operate at a high level, and how we can develop positively and successfully across a number of functions within the club.

I have known Paul for some time and have been well aware of his work. I know that he will be a huge asset to Celtic and that his knowledge, talent and tremendous work ethic will be crucial to us as we drive forward across a number of areas, always with the aim of delivering higher performance and more and more success.

Tisdale on Celtic

It is a huge honour to accept this new role at Celtic and join a club of such pedigree and stature.

I can’t wait to join the team, to begin my work and deliver positive results. Celtic demands and deserves excellence across all areas and I know that that is something the Board and Brendan seek at all times.

In my role I will be doing all I can to further develop our work across talent identification, development and analytics, always with the aim of ensuring high-level support of football performance.’

Having knowledge already of Celtic, I know there are so many quality, authentic  people at the club all pulling in the same direction and passionate for success.

I look forward to joining them as we work together to deliver excellence for the club and our supporters.

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