Celtic remain without a Head of Football Operations more than ten months after Paul Tisdale left the club, with fresh comments from Anthony Joseph again highlighting the gaps in the football department.

The position was created to sit across several major areas of the football operation.

When Tisdale was appointed in October 2024, Celtic said his remit included managing football operations, identifying and developing talent and helping align recruitment with the academy.

Brendan Rodgers also explained at the time that Tisdale would work on recruitment and analytics and oversee the recruitment process.

That link has not been formally replaced.

Speaking on Celtic Fans TV, Joseph outlined the current situation.

“They don’t have a head of football operations, they don’t have a head of recruitment, they don’t have a chief scout.”

Joseph also questioned exactly who has overall control when Celtic decide which players to pursue.

He said: “I couldn’t tell you who’s in control, because I don’t think anyone’s actually in control.”

Martin O’Neill offered some insight into the process during the summer.

The Celtic boss explained that the recruitment department sends potential players to the coaching staff, who ultimately decide whether they want to proceed.

O’Neill also confirmed in July that Celtic were considering an appointment to oversee recruitment, but admitted it was not a priority at that stage.

Shaun Maloney had carried a significant recruitment workload during the January window, but has since concentrated more heavily on his first-team duties alongside O’Neill.

That creates another question further down the structure.

Joseph suggested Celtic currently lack someone dedicated to the pathway position as well.

With Lucas Clearie pushing for senior recognition and Colby Donovan showing what can happen when an academy player gets a proper opportunity, that link between youth football and the first team remains important.

The bigger concern, though, sits above it.

Celtic have recruitment staff identifying players and a manager deciding whether he wants them, but the senior football-operations position designed to connect and oversee that process remains without a publicly announced successor.