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Chris McCart was appointed Head of Celtic youth academy in June 2008.
As such he heads the team which comprises all involved in the Academy work including coaches, training staff, physiotherapists and other support staff and youth scouting. His appointment seemed to head a shift of emphasis and structures at the Academy at Lennoxtown. The new structure is meant to promote a seamless transition through recruitment and development to first team activities as promoted by previous manager Gordon Strachan and is to be continued under Tony Mowbray and first team coaches Mark Venus and Peter Grant.
Youth Development Coach
Chris first joined the Club in August 1999 as part of the Celtic youth development staff after retiring from playing in June 1999. He had previously been a player with Celtic Boys Club joining as an U12 in 1979 and winning the Boy of the Year award. He became a Celtic 'S'-Former but had not been taken on full terms by the club and, released in 1985, joined Motherwell. He had two years playing for Falkirk from 1997-99 before a chronic knee injury forced him to retire. He was offered part time coaching work with a variety of Junior clubs before Celtic stepped in with a full time offer. As a Development Coach he worked with all teams from U-12 to U-16. He left Celtic to spend seven years at Motherwell as head of their youth development.
Head of Youth Academy
Chris McCart said: “I was delighted and honoured to initially have been asked by Tommy Burns to assist him in this position. It is a real pleasure and privilege to return to Celtic, a club which I have a great affection for.
“I have enjoyed my time immensely at Motherwell and would like to wish everyone at the club all the very best for the future. However, I am now looking forward to the many challenges which lie ahead at Celtic.
“I aim to do all I can to ensure that the Celtic Academy continues to be such a great success and hopefully ensure that we can develop even further and ultimately bring the club more and more on-field success, through the development of quality young players.”
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell commented: “We are delighted to welcome Chris back to Celtic Football Club. Chris knows all about the club and as someone who is highly sought after, we are very pleased to have secured his services.
“Celtic continues to make substantial investment into its Youth Academy and in recent years has seen the benefits of this investment.
“Currently, players such as Stephen McManus, Aiden McGeady, Darren O'Dea, John Kennedy and Paul Caddis are all featuring in our first team squad. We are sure the appointment of Chris will ensure that we continue to excel in this area.
“Chris is someone with tremendous ability and a real passion for the game. He has all the knowledge and skills required to ensure that he can make a great impact at the club and I am sure Chris will be a very valuable addition to our team.
“We are sure the great legacy of the club's youth development programme which Tommy left is in very safe hands through the appointment of Chris.”