Mark Cooper joins Celtic recruitment staff as South America expert drafted in after Mark Lawwell exit

Celtic have brought in Mark Cooper to bolster their recruitment staff.

The South American expert has reportedly been hired by the club in a bid to strengthen the scouting position as Brendan Rodgers looks to revamp the system for spotting talent. It comes after Mark Lawwell left his position as head of recruitment while chief scout Joe Dudgeon also opted to depart to "pursue new challenges" back in March.

Cooper has previously chipped in at Parkhead with Alexandro Bernabei believed to have been a recommendation from the Scot while he also suggested others including Ferreira of Gremio before Ange Postecoglou arrived.

Now, though, he has been enticed back to Scotland full-time with the remit of finding gems aged between 19 and 23 with international experience, according to the Daily Mail.

Cooper will likely already have plans in place with the Hoops desperate to find a new goalkeeper and a left-back at least in the summer.

With Adam Idah's future still unclear, a new striker will also be on the shortlist of priorities.