Celtic appoint Noble, Sharp and Harris

James Gordon

Celtic Crusaders have appointed Brian Noble as their new head coach, with Jon Sharp and Iestyn Harris as assistants.

Noble left Wigan following their play-off defeat to St Helens and has since been replaced by Australian Michael Maguire.

He becomes just the second head coach in Celtic’s history, succeeding John Dixon who led the club from National League 2 to the top flight.

Noble has previously coached Bradford, and he will be assisted by former Huddersfield head coach Sharp, who joins the club having left a football operations post at Hull.

Celtic Chairman Leighton Samuel said: “We are delighted that Brian has accepted the job of head coach here at the Crusaders.

“His track record in Super League is second to none and I’m sure that he will be a massive success here, the same as he has been at Bradford and Wigan.”

Also joining the management team is dual-code Welsh international Harris, who last month was appointed as head coach of the Welsh national team.

Harris spent the 2009 season as player-coach at Championship side Featherstone, but has previously played under Noble at Bradford.