Ange Postecoglou reckons the recent restructuring of the Celtic B team will help a 'conveyor belt of talent' emerge through the ranks.

The Parkhead club has confirmed former youth graduates Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea will continue to take charge of the B team as joint coaches following the departure of manager Tommy McIntyre.

McManus and O'Dea will report directly to Postecoglou and their remit will be to oversee player development as the B side competes in the Lowland League, UEFA Youth League and the Challenge Cup.

Postecoglou told the club website: “As I have said before, I was keen to restructure our coaching set-up, with a hugely important element of this being the development of a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team directly up to the first team.  

“I wanted a really strong connection to the development of our B Team and Stephen, with his knowledge of our current first-team philosophy and demands, will be ideal in this role.

“Darren too already has that great experience of working with our young players and an affinity with the B Team which I know will be invaluable to us.

“He is also someone with the knowledge of what it takes to be part of the Celtic first team and the way in which we work at that level.

“As Celtic supporters we all want to see as many young players as possible coming through the stages to join our first team.

“So we look forward with confidence to our B Team developing positively and I know our fans will wish Stephen and Darren well in progressing the team further.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tommy McIntyre for his great service to Celtic over so many years and for all he has done for us. We all wish Tommy the very best for the future in everything he does.”

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