Steven Hammell's Season Ends with a New Role as Head of Academy Coaching at Celtic
- The Motherwell legend joins Scottish Treble winners Celtic to become a key part of the club's Academy
Steven Hammell has been on an emotional rollercoaster, but his season has ended with an exciting new challenge as the Head of Academy Coaching at Scottish Treble winners Celtic.
The 41-year-old Football Careers client — who had a superb body of work as Well’s Academy Director before stepping up to be first team boss — suffered the hurt of being axed at Fir Park in February following a Scottish Cup defeat at Raith Rovers.
It was a dark day that displayed the brutal nature of this game for a man who had sparkled both on the field as a legendary player for Motherwell and off it as a top-level developer of talent.
After just 28 matches as first team boss he was out of the game he loves but now this topsy-turvy campaign has ended on a real high for Steven with this appointment. He said:
“It is a great honour to join Celtic and I am really excited about the opportunity that has been given to me. It is a hugely successful and exciting time for the club at all levels and I am looking forward to making my own contribution to add to the fantastic ongoing work right across our Academy.”
Hammell’s stellar playing career at left-back across two spells at Motherwell and a stint in England at Southend United saw him rack up 650 professional games and be capped for Scotland.
Now, the man who helped Well continue their reputation as one of Scotland’s premier Academies is in charge of mentoring the coaches who are tasked with breeding new stars to follow the example of skipper Callum McGregor and break into the Hoops first team. Steven stressed:
“I know the club has a rich history of developing its own young players. It is an important area for the club and I can’t wait to get started to play my part in working with our coaches to bring our players through to make their own contribution to this great club at the highest level.”
Celtic’s Head of Academy Chris McCart knows Hammell, having spent time together at Well. Chris pointed out:
“Stevie has a great track record in achieving positive outcomes in the development of young players, and I know that through his talent and experience he will play a significant role in this area for the club. We are always looking to develop across all areas and his enthusiasm and energy will be hugely beneficial to us going forward.”
It is understood that outgoing Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou had an influence on the Hammell appointment before he quit the Treble winners for the lure of the English Premiership and Tottenham Hotspur. And Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson said:
“The Celtic Academy is a vital part of the club. We have seen this season how our Academy teams and players are developing positively, and Stevie’s considerable experience and energy will ensure that the club continues to assess and apply new learnings and best practice in coaching and developing our young players.
“We are pleased to welcome him to Celtic and we are sure he will make an important contribution to the club.”
