Scott Brown reflects on “unbelievable” Celtic talks with Paul Tisdale and highlights key transfer priorities

Scott Brown has spoken openly about his dealings with Celtic’s former head of football operations Paul Tisdale, offering praise for the role he played at the club while also outlining what he believes the Hoops must address in the transfer market.

The former Celtic captain, now in charge of Championship side Ayr United, has been observing developments at Parkhead closely following a turbulent period that saw head coach Wilfried Nancy dismissed after just eight matches. Tisdale also exited the club in the aftermath, with Celtic turning back to familiar territory by appointing Martin O’Neill as manager until the end of the season, supported by figures such as Shaun Maloney within the coaching and development structure.

Brown, a club legend who spent over a decade at Celtic and captained the side through some of its most successful modern eras, was well placed to comment on Tisdale’s influence due to Ayr United’s recent cooperation agreement with the Glasgow giants.

Brown impressed by Celtic cooperation talks

Ayr United are among the first clubs to take part in the Scottish FA’s new cooperation loan initiative, which allows players aged 16 to 21—provided they are eligible for Scotland national teams—to move between a parent club and a partner club throughout the season. The scheme is designed to increase meaningful game time for young prospects while maintaining close developmental oversight.

Celtic and Ayr formalised their partnership earlier this season, with youngsters Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure both gaining experience at Somerset Park. Brown revealed that discussions with Celtic officials during the setup of the agreement left a strong impression on him, particularly when it came to Tisdale’s approach.

Speaking on The Breakdown, Brown said Tisdale, alongside Maloney and former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea, played a central role in making the process straightforward and productive.

“Paul was really good for me—honestly, unbelievable,” Brown explained. “Him and Shaun Maloney were excellent, and Darren O’Dea as well. We had to go in and present our plans, explain what we wanted to do and why it made sense, and they couldn’t have been more positive about it.”

Brown added that once the proposal was made, Celtic moved quickly to approve the arrangement.

“They signed off on the cooperation deal without any fuss at all. A lot of that was down to Paul and Shaun. I’ll admit, I even sent Brendan [Rodgers] a message saying, ‘Please help us out here!’ But the whole process was smooth. They were brilliant in helping get players through the door.”

Even after Maloney shifted roles following O’Neill’s return, Brown says the support continued.

“Shaun’s still been on the phone, still texting, checking in to see how the lads are doing. That kind of relationship matters.”

View from the outside on Celtic’s turmoil

From his vantage point in the Championship, Brown has watched Celtic’s recent instability unfold with concern. Nancy’s appointment was intended to usher in a possession-heavy, modern approach, but results failed to follow. Eight matches into his reign, Celtic opted to pull the plug, with fan unrest growing and pressure mounting on the football department.

Tisdale’s departure came alongside Nancy’s exit, marking a reset at executive level as well as in the dugout. For Brown, the upheaval highlights the importance of getting the fundamentals right—particularly in squad building.

Two positions Celtic must strengthen

Looking at the first team now under Martin O’Neill’s stewardship, Brown believes Celtic’s priorities are clear. While he expects the club to make funds available, he stresses that recruitment must focus on quality rather than quantity.

“They’ll have money to spend,” Brown said. “But it’s about bringing in the right players. For me, you need a centre-half and you need a centre-forward.”

According to Brown, Celtic’s most successful sides have always been built around a strong spine—players who are reliable, physically robust, and comfortable with responsibility.

“You need that core again,” he continued. “Strong in the middle of the park, solid at centre-half, and someone up top you can depend on. That’s what Celtic have always been about.”

Callum McGregor labelled irreplaceable

While Brown believes reinforcements are necessary, he was unequivocal when discussing who must not be allowed to leave during the January window. For him, Callum McGregor remains the heartbeat of the side.

“You keep Callum McGregor, no matter what,” Brown insisted. “He understands the club inside out. He knows exactly what Celtic stands for. He’s won everything there is to win, and he’s been unbelievably reliable.”

Brown praised McGregor’s professionalism, durability, and leadership, describing him as one of the finest professionals he encountered during his own playing career.

“Callum looks after himself impeccably. That’s why he plays week in, week out. He’s probably one of the best pros I’ve ever seen.”

He also highlighted McGregor’s decision to step away from international football to extend his club career, a move Brown believes will benefit Celtic long-term.

“He’s playing 60-plus games a season. Giving up Scotland was a big call, but it should give him more longevity at club level—and that’s massive for Celtic.”

Brown couldn’t resist adding a light-hearted remark, referencing his own international retirement.

“I did the same thing—but I wasn’t much use to Scotland anyway. Funny thing is, as soon as I stopped playing, they qualified for the Euros.”

Looking ahead

As Celtic attempt to steady themselves after a chaotic period, Brown’s comments underline the importance of clarity at both executive and footballing levels. His praise for Tisdale’s work behind the scenes contrasts with the circumstances of his exit, while his transfer advice reflects a belief in traditional squad balance rather than sweeping overhauls.

With O’Neill back in the dugout and the January window open, Celtic now face critical decisions that could define the remainder of their season—and, as Brown suggests, the answers may lie in strengthening the spine rather than reinventing the wheel.