---
title: "Celtic: Devlin makes McKay claim on Harkin move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-devlin-makes-mckay-claim-on-harkin-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-10-07T17:40:42Z"
modified: "2021-10-07T17:40:42Z"
---

# Celtic: Devlin makes McKay claim on Harkin move

**Celtic reporter [Kieran Devlin](https://theathletic.co.uk/2844956/2021/10/06/john-park-my-moneyball-approach-at-celtic-adding-data-to-scouting-and-discovering-van-dijk/?article_source=search&search_query=celtic) has addressed the reason behind Fergal Harkin’s collapsed move to Parkhead over the summer.**

### The Lowdown: Harkin links

Harkin, a [‘massive’ Hoops fan](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-celtic-close-to-appointing-harkin-after-new-talks-and-hughes-latest/), appeared to be [closing](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fergal-harkin-edges-closer-celtic-24200757) in on a move to Glasgow towards the end of May.

The Irishman [rejected](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fergal-harkin-edges-closer-celtic-24200757) the chance to move to Belgium in favour of a move to Scotland, however, a deal ended up [falling through](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fergal-harkin-celtic-director-football-24229327).

It now appears as if Dominic McKay, who left the club last month after just [72](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58563058) days as CEO, played a role in a director of football deal collapsing.

[Celtic updates!!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-15/)

### The Latest: Devlin’s claim

Devlin shared an in-depth feature on [The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/2844956/2021/10/06/john-park-my-moneyball-approach-at-celtic-adding-data-to-scouting-and-discovering-van-dijk/?article_source=search&search_query=celtic) focusing on former Hoops scout John Park on Thursday.

Within his report, Devlin, who [touched](https://theathletic.com/2819957/2021/09/12/explained-%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8bdominic-mckays-shock-exit-and-what-celtic-do-next/) on Harkin to Celtic following McKay’s exit, looked at that the pros and cons of a director of football model alongside a traditional head of recruitment set-up.

He claimed that Celtic were on the cusp of appointing Harkin as sporting director before a disagreement between McKay and the Hoops hierarchy led to a deal collapsing.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375302″\]

### The Verdict: Back to square one…

The Hoops at one point earlier this year had McKay in as CEO and were linked with moves for Harkin as DoF and [Eddie Howe](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-celtic-bournemouth-collapse-24163160) as manager.

They now have none of three names mentioned at Parkhead, with [Michael Nicholson](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/who-michael-nicholson-celtic-acting-24958734) the club’s interim CEO alongside manager Ange Postecoglou.

It would’ve been interesting to have seen which direction the club went if they secured Harkin’s services, but now they are back to square one without a permanent CEO or DoF in place.

***In other news: [BBC pundit thinks Celtic may have Kyogo ‘problem’ after what he’s seen.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-hutton-makes-furuhashi-claim/)***