David Pleat Joins Celtic as Scout

David Pleat, at 80 years old, has returned to football in a scouting role with Celtic, focusing on identifying talent from England. Known for his long association with Tottenham Hotspur, where he contributed to the signings of players like Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, Pleat was offered a 12-month deal by Celtic's head of recruitment, Paul Tisdale. His extensive experience, including managing and scouting roles, is expected to bolster Celtic's relatively small scouting department as they seek reinforcements during the January transfer window. Pleat criticized Tottenham's shift towards data-driven recruitment, asserting the importance of traditional scouting methods. His knowledge of the English football market will be invaluable for Celtic, particularly as they aim to enhance their competitiveness both domestically and in Europe. The appointment comes at a crucial time as Celtic prepares for a title run-in and Champions League challenges.