Bren's not the sort of coach to rely on Al to unearth next big thing

ARTIFICIAL intelligence now plays a major role in recruitment and scouting but Tommy Johnson reckons Brendan Rodgers will trust in what he sees and his instincts to attract the gems who can take Celtic forward.

- By Craig Swan

Thanks to the AI revolution, huge amounts of performance data is being analysed to provide detailed profiles of players throughout the globe, helping coaches make more informed decisions about potential recruits — for example, anticipating how their skills will complement those of other members on the team.

Hearts hope to take advantage of this tech through their partnership with Jamestown Analytics, who have enjoyed remarkable success with Brighton, newly-crowned Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise and Serie A side Como.

But ex-Hoops striker Johnson, right, feels Rodgers knows better than any machine when it comes to identifying the type of character who can cope with the unique pressures and demands of the Old Firm.

The Parkhead manager is looking to freshen up his squad for their next tilt at domestic success and progress in the Champions League.