Adam Asghar is leading Celtic candidate for coaching gig as Brendan Rodgers ramps up recruitment drive

Adam Asghar has emerged as a leading candidate to become Celtic ’s new under-18 chief.

The highly-rated coach is the Under-21s head coach at Southampton and Record Sport understands has caught the eye of Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and his staff. Asghar has a wealth of experience in development and youth coaching on both sides of the border. The 29-year-old had a successful stint at Sunderland, where his squad narrowly lost the Under-19 Premier League title to Manchester City.

The Scot has also had experience at top team level. He was first-team coach at Dundee United under Tam Courts, Micky Mellon and Liam Fox before he was headhunted by Sunderland. Asghar also has a wealth of experience from his time with the academies at Motherwell and United, while also coaching in the Scottish Football Association’s coaching school at Braidhurst. Former Celtic players Charlie Mulgrew and Jonny Hayes are also under consideration for the position.

It is understood that the Hoops could yet make several appointments. They have interviewed for the Under-18 position but they also have a coaching position in the B team after Darren O’Dea moved up to pathway manager. So there are Under-18 and B-team jobs, and Celtic could yet bring in another coach to boost their under-age sides.

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