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Damien Duff & Stephen McManus join Celtic’s coaching staff

By Andy Muirhead

POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 17: Head coach Giovanni Trapattoni of Ireland (R) issues instructions to Robbie Keane (2nd L) and Damien Duff (2nd R) during a UEFA EURO 2012 training session at the Municipal Stadium on June 17, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
POZNAN, POLAND - JUNE 17: Head coach Giovanni Trapattoni of Ireland (R) issues instructions to Robbie Keane (2nd L) and Damien Duff (2nd R) during a UEFA EURO 2012 training session at the Municipal Stadium on June 17, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /
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Republic of Ireland legend Damien Duff has joined Celtic’s coaching staff as the club’s new reserve team coach after leaving Shamrock Rovers.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers reportedly contacted Duff directly to apply for the vacancy after the departure of Shaun Maloney in September.

The duo know one another from Rodgers’ days at Chelsea and where Duff won two Premier League titles.

Speaking to the official Celtic website, Duff said:

"“I am absolutely delighted to join Celtic in this new role and be part of a club for which I have such huge respect. It is a massive honour to be given this opportunity and I am looking forward to playing my part in developing our young players of the future.“We will be aiming to do all we can to create a good environment for our young players, to promote positive, attacking football, to play the Celtic Way and make them ready for the challenges of first-team football. “I can’t wait get started in my new role and do all I can to make a positive difference to some exciting players we already have at the club.”"

POZNAN, POLAND – JUNE 17: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Damien Duff of Republic of Ireland talks to the media during a UEFA EURO 2012 press conference ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 Group C match between Italy and Republic of Ireland at the Municipal Stadium on June 17, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images)
POZNAN, POLAND – JUNE 17: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Damien Duff of Republic of Ireland talks to the media during a UEFA EURO 2012 press conference ahead of the UEFA EURO 2012 Group C match between Italy and Republic of Ireland at the Municipal Stadium on June 17, 2012 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images) /

Duff will team up with Tommy McIntyre in managing Celtic’s Reserve side, currently sixth in the SPFL Reserve League.

Duff is joined at Celtic by former club captain Stephen McManus who has been appointed the new under-18’s coach after spending over five years at Fir Park, where he played from 2013 to 2017, before taking up a coaching position with the club’s youth side.

McManus spent seven years at Celtic Park after graduating from the club’s academy making his debut in the 4-0 win over Hibernian in March 2004. He would go on to captain the side under Gordon Strachan replacing Neil Lennon lifting three league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups – playing 203 times and scoring 20 goals in the process.

He was sold to Middlesborough in July 2010 for £1.5 million before spells on loan at Bristol City and a free transfer to Motherwell in July 2013 – finally ending his playing career with the Lanarkshire side officially in February 2018.

Speaking after the announcement, McManus commented:

"“The passion and respect I have for Celtic is well-known and it really is a fantastic honour to join this great club again. “I had the huge privilege of pulling on the Celtic jersey and enjoying some tremendous moments which will stay with me forever, playing on the highest stage and being part of a team that brought success and silverware to some of the best fans in the world. “It was a real dream come true to reach the Celtic first team and now it will be an absolute privilege to work every day with our young players to see if they can live their own dreams, to wear such an iconic jersey and play their part in creating history for the club. I am really looking forward to this challenge and being part of Celtic once again.”"

GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM -FEBRUARY15: Stephen McManus of Celtic tackles Madjid Bougherra of Rangers during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on February 15, 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM -FEBRUARY15: Stephen McManus of Celtic tackles Madjid Bougherra of Rangers during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on February 15, 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) /

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers added:

"“We are delighted to welcome Damien and Stephen to Celtic. Both men are real high-calibre individuals who have a huge knowledge of the game.“We are really pleased they have agreed to join the club and I know the ability they have as coaches and the experiences they have, being part of top-level football for so many years in their own careers, will be of huge benefit to our younger players.”"