Search is on for a new chief scout

BRENDAN Rodgers has revealed he hopes to have a new chief scout in place at Celtic by the summer but he won’t rush into an appointment.

The club have been without a head of recruitment since John Park left in October but are in the midst of sourcing his replacement. Rodgers acknowledged the need for data analysis but insisted the most important factor for a scout is an instinctive ability to “know a player”.

“Between now and the summer we’ll probably have something organised on it,” he said. “We’re working on it behind the scenes and it’s been a good process. We’re just waiting on the right one. It can be very complicated in modern football but for me it’s simple: know a player.

“You get a lot of new school [thinking] around now with computers, statistics and analysis but you still need guys who know a player. A bit of new school and old school and that fusion should allow you to bring in the players you want.”

The manager also warned he would not tolerate any dropping-off in intensity in the latter part of the league campaign even if the title is clinched next month. He may rest one or two key figures once the championship is won, but felt Celtic owed it to the rest of the division not to let their standards fall.

“No, we have to push to the maximum,” he said on the idea of the team dropping down the gears. “We have an obligation to do that. We can’t go soft. We are here to win and to win in the best possible way but that’s just about picking the best team and I think I’ve done that throughout the season.

“There were players who were deemed not to be starters and have done really well. What I have tried to do is maximise my squad and keep them fit, motivated and in pursuit of our objectives, and they have all been brilliant in their professionalism.

“So, even if I did rest one or two, I feel confident about any players coming in. It certainly won’t take the edge off us because we are preparing, not just for this final part of the season, but to keep the momentum going into next season.

“Whether we reach the Scottish Cup final or not, it will be a long season for us and we have to be ready to go again on June 19. With the Scotland game on June 10, we would have to consider giving the international boys the longest period of rest that we can.”