Newly crowned Manager of the Year John McGlynn has credited his time at Celtic as a key period in his managerial development, following Falkirk’s promotion-clinching campaign and return to the Scottish Premiership.
It was back-to-back promotions for the Bairns, who will now compete in the top flight for the first time in 15 years.
McGlynn was hired by Celtic as a first-team scout in January 2015 during Ronny Deila’s time in charge. He stayed on after Brendan Rodgers took over in 2016, and the current Falkirk boss was later handed a vital opposition analysis role by Rodgers himself.
“I learned a lot at Celtic,” McGlynn said to RecordSport. “Initially for the first 18 months I was working in recruitment with John Park and the recruitment group. Ronny Deila and John Collins were the manager and assistant manager. They were good to work with. Then Brendan came in.”
The former Hearts and Raith Rovers manager forged a working link with Rodgers, thanks in part to their shared background at Tynecastle and Anfield. The Irishman soon tasked McGlynn with studying domestic and European opposition—an experience that left a lasting impression.
“There was a little bit of connection because of the Hearts and Liverpool tie. And Brendan Rodgers wanted me to look at the opposition which was an amazing job,” he explained.
“To learn from him – but not only to learn from him – I was watching domestic and European opposition, so I’m watching Man City, Barcelona, PSG – I’m watching the whole lot. And on a daily basis, I’m watching the Celtic players training.
“I was never on the training pitch. Never ever. It was an office job. But I could look and see what they were doing. I was in meetings with Brendan, I understand what he looks for. And I see the way the team can play.
“You would’ve been stupid not to learn. I learned so much, and I’ve managed to put that into the teams I’ve worked with since.”
Having guided Falkirk to successive promotions and back into the top flight after 15 years, McGlynn’s grounding at Celtic during a transformative era now looks like a crucial foundation for his success on the touchline.
Brendan Rodgers has spoken highly of the manager in the past, and now he could be set to face him up to four times next season, but will it be as Falkirk boss? He’s been linked to take over the job after Neil Critchley was sacked.
