Celtic’s appointment of Adam Asghar as the new under-18s manager marks a significant shift from the oft-criticised jobs for the bhoys approach.

There seems to be some commitment to innovative and forward-thinking leadership within the club’s youth development program, and, hopefully, throughout the club.

Asghar, who announced his new role via LinkedIn, joins Celtic from a role with Southampton’s U21 team and brings a wealth of experience from previous positions, including a stint as an assistant at Dundee United.

The decision to hire Asghar shows Celtic’s intent to integrate fresh ideas and modern coaching methodologies into their academy. This move is seen as a progressive step by the club, particularly given the speculation that former Celtic players like Johnny Hayes and Charlie Mulgrew were also in contention for the role. Opting for Asghar over more familiar faces associated with the club suggests a deliberate pivot towards merit-based appointments that prioritise coaching pedigree and potential over past affiliations.

The move hopefully shows that jobs for the boys are a thing of the past at Celtic.