Whether he likes it or not Paul Tisdale is going to be the centre of attention over the next five weeks.
Since being appointed as Head of Football Operations in October 2024 the former Exeter City boss has embarked on a crash course of empire building.
Brendan Rodgers is a casualty of Tisdale, the self proclaimed Football Doctor.
Not only is he now in charge of recruiting players but he is the decision maker when it comes to who manages Celtic.
TISDALE AND THE EXETER CONNECTION
There is no other explanation for the appointment of Wilfried Nancy. With a mutual friend in Kwame Ampadu the former Columbus Crew coach finds himself managing Celtic.
And barely a week after arriving in Glasgow Nancy discovered that his Head of Football Operations was off on holiday!
That gem of information came out when Sky Sports delivered the update that Nancy was staying on as Celtic manager despite the Peter Martin tweet claiming otherwise.
It beggars belief that Tisdale was on holiday last week.
HOLIDAY BHOY TISDALE
It took Celtic 37 days between the resignation of Rodgers and the appointment of Nancy. Surely plenty of time for Doctor Football to head off to the sun and recharge his batteries.
A proper Head of Football Operations would be on hand 24/7 for the new manager.
Providing a detailed drill-down into every player at Celtic. First team, B-team and any youths that could spring through like Ben Doak did with Ange Postecoglou.
Running over January transfer targets. Finding out what the manager felt the squad needed. Daily meetings, long lunches, watching videos, exploring Tisdale’s bespoke analytics, the system that earned the trust of Michael Nicholson.
There is a lot of detail in those rumours from Kerrydale Street.
One that is missing is an address made by Tisdale to a meeting with corporate fans.
NOT IN EUROPE’S TOP 100 CLUBS?
In attendance with Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay the former Exeter chief brazenly told high-roller fans that Celtic weren’t a top 100 European club.
In any circumstances that is a horrific comment. Earlier this year Celtic finished in 21st place in the 36 team Champions League. Ahead of Manchester City, Club Brugge and others.
After two horrific transfer windows Tisdale has to turn the tide in January.
No-one knows the dynamics of the relationship but the Tisdale and Nicholson dynamic looks like every manager’s nightmare.
An English lower league geek working in tandem with a spineless CEO afraid to make any decision without getting the ‘aye OK Mick’ email from Non Executive Directors.
While Nicholson is busy selling off players Tisdale was trawling for projects and punts. No signs of joined up thinking.
How else do you explain selling Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah while signing Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand. As back -up the injury prone Kelechi Iheanacho was signed up on a nine month contract. So much for forward planning.
JANUARY 2026
Celtic are in urgent need of transfer surgery. Anything less than two starters joining in the first week of the window will lead to further claims of self sabotage.
Every day fans will be judging Tisdale. There is no time to waste. January 2025 was wasted, summer 2025 was wasted. A pattern has been established, Tisdale and Nicholson can ether disprove or confirm it starting next Thursday.
Many fans expect an oven-ready striker on the team sheet on January 3. Expectations have been replaced by demands. Fans are suspicious.
No one can dispute that 2025 has seen Celtic decline, 12 months ago the club was moving in the right direction. Not now.
As Head of Football Operations Tisdale carries a lot of responsibility for the current squad, and manager.
Fans are watching his every move. Closely.
RELATED READING
