Celtic have handed former Tottenham manager David Pleat a scouting role – with the 80-year-old’s remit to centre around finding top talents south of the border.
Pleat has enjoyed nearly 40 years of association with the North London club. He served as Spurs manager on two occasions between 1987 and 2004, and later worked as the director of football and club scout. The veteran has been credited as the man who brought the likes of Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen to Tottenham, and the Daily Mail now report that he has been offered a job at Parkhead.
They claim that Hoops head of recruitment Paul Tisdale wants Pleat to join Celtic on a 12-month deal, with the hope that he can flag up potential signings from down south. In a recent interview, Pleat – who also managed the likes of Luton, Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday – hit out at Tottenham’s decision to dispense of his services despite his long association with the club.
He said: “I was called in and informed: ‘It’s all data driven now we don’t need eyes and ears’. What nonsense. Data is all well and good when it enhances eyes and ears, not replaces them. I didn’t argue.
“Two or three people have spoken to me about things. We’ll see. But I’m not finished. How can I step away? When it comes to football, I’m afraid I’m a total obsessive.”
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