GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Stephen McGowan has confirmed that Gavin Strachan is in talks over a move from Celtic to West Brom.
There has been speculation over the future of the Celtic coach who has worked under five different permanent managers since arriving in the summer of 2020.
Strachan even managed Celtic for two matches during the 20/21 season following the ill-fated trip to Dubai.
Last week Celtic announced the permanent appointment of Martin O’Neill but there was no mention of any backroom staff.
Strachan, Shaun Maloney and Stephen McManus all had jobs at Celtic prior to O’Neill coming in as interim manager.
That leaves Mark Fotheringham as the outsider, the only coach brought in specifically as O’Neill’s team.
Strachan has survived through various changes in management and structure but now looks like he could be ready to break away.
Writing in The Celtic Way McGowan reveals:
Celtic first team coach Gavin Strachan has held discussions over a move to West Bromwich Albion.
Son of former Celtic and Scotland boss Gordon, the 47-year-old is earmarked to be part of a reshaped backroom team currently being put together by Baggies manager James Morrison.
Strachan has been set-piece coach at Parkhead since the summer of 2020 when he arrived as a replacement for the departed Damien Duff.
Previously assistant manager to Darren Ferguson at Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough, he retains family in the Midlands and is now expected to leave Glasgow and return to England.
More than three weeks on from winning the Scottish Cup it seems that little has changed at Celtic. A month ago today the SPFL title was won by beating Hearts.
CELTIC LEFT IN LIMBO
Other than the O’Neill appointment nothing has changed at the club other than the departures of Stephen Welsh and Luis Palma.
A major overhaul of the squad was expected as well as key roles behind the scenes.
Paul Tisdale left his role as Head of Football Operations on January 5 with no word on a replacement or a redefined role.
On Thursday the SPFL will publish their season 26/27 fixtures which will put some focus on the season ahead.
Celtic’s non-international players report back to Lennoxtown for training on June 26 with fans looking for new arrivals.
The competitive action resumes on August 1/2 with the SPFL followed on August 18/19 and 25/26 by a Champions League Play Off.
The transfer window will close on September 3, after Celtic’s UEFA fate is known.
It shouldn’t be shocking – as we should be used to it by now – but it is shocking how lethargic
the Board remains?
With the Board’s continuing sh!tshow for pretty much the whole of last season,
you’d think there would be a sense of urgency to get next season off to a flier,
with early signings – and the best possible preparation for the upcoming CL qualifying games?
3 weeks in and they’ve only announced MON signing, but the backroom staff remains unsigned?!
Mental.
I don’t believe that Gavin Strachan will be a huge loss as our services piece coach. We very rarely score from free kicks or corners and we concede a lot of goals from opponents set pieces.
Glad he’s gone. Sitting there with his iPad but who was he communicating with? especially MON??? But this backroom staff inertia is awful, what a way to treat the manager n the fans
If Gavin Strachan is our set-piece coach I would suggest that alone is grounds for dismissal- we defend set-pieces like a pub team and rarely create a chance far less a goal from our own set-pieces.
Obviously another world-class piece of recruitment there – the toxic Lawwell legacy of nepotism and cronyism.
I agree .. in my opinion he won’t be missed at all , infuriating sitting with that f&@£ing iPad !
I would scream every time we were defending a corner that NO ONE was ever at the back post . It had to be on him !
Nothing happens on the transfer front until Engels is sold. Then they might spend half of the fee. The other half of the fee gets chucked on the cashpile along with the proceeds from any other sales.
Seen this crap movie more times than I care to remember.
Nothing changes until Desmond sells/dies, either way the club will benefit when he’s out of the picture.
SACK THE BOARD!
It’s not “mental” it’s typical, Bob. And detrimental as usual. We’ve had the recent groups of the Celtic Fans Collective, Celtic Supporters Limited and Willie Haughey’s move but where’s the rebel spirit once guaranteed? Too many groups, too few voices. Soft protest, and that’s all I’ve seen up to now, it’s pissing into the wind. We’re still crying out for RADICAL ACTION without which we’ll get nowhere. Up the ante and HUNT THE BOARD.
If as everyone above says that is his position then thank fu*k he’s gone !
Oliver tibily on the bench !! first one punted when Martin came in first