The name David Moss may have been one out of left-field for a few supporters in the latest round of speculation over new roles at Norwich City.

Eastern Daily Press: Virgil Van Dijk during his Celtic playing days. Picture: PAVirgil Van Dijk during his Celtic playing days. Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire)

But the 48-year-old – Celtic's chief talent spotter as head of development – has an impressive track record in the ever-growing vital role of recruitment, helping Celtic acquire the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Victor Wanyama.

In an interview with Visionary Sports Investment in August, 2015, he spoke about his role at Celtic, the changing face of football clubs and how the role of the sporting director is evolving.

It is the latter which is pertinent given the expectation that Norwich will create a position along similar lines.

'I definitely see the role of sporting director growing within football in the next five years,' he said. 'Already approximately 50pc of both Premier League and Championship clubs have such a position. It is only the title – Sporting Director, Technical Director, Director of Football, Head of Football Operations, Chief Football Officer and the extent of their individual level of authority that may be different within each club.

Eastern Daily Press: Celtic's chief talent scout David Moss. Picture: Sigma Sports SolutionsCeltic's chief talent scout David Moss. Picture: Sigma Sports Solutions (Image: Sigma Sports Solutions)

'Why would owners of clubs investing personal wealth and receiving broadcasting monies totalling hundreds of millions of pounds not want the football club's vision and strategy aligned throughout their club and the best people employed? This in my opinion in simple terms is the role of the sporting director. I have experienced personally, seen from afar and heard from peers at other clubs that clubs do not maximise their true potential, if the best people are not employed, heads of departments have their own agendas, latest thinking/best practice is not used and overall strategy is not aligned.'

As for his role at Celtic, Moss spoke of the difference in revenue between the SPL and the Premier League: '?Although we can only spend approximately £2.5m we are still seeking players who can compete against some of the best teams in Europe in Champions League games and also have the potential to be sold to the Premier League or other top European teams within 1-2 years. We therefore operate in a high-risk market as we cannot afford the 'ready-made' players and need to identify young and 'unproven' players.'

Eastern Daily Press: Celtic's chief talent scout David Moss. Picture: Sigma Sports SolutionsCeltic's chief talent scout David Moss. Picture: Sigma Sports Solutions (Image: Sigma Sports Solutions)