ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 13: Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy reacts during the MLS match between Columbus Crew and Atlanta United FC on September 13th, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Michael Gannon has doubled down on his claim that Wilfried Nancy is about to become the Celtic manager.
On Friday the Daily Record reporter uncovered the world EXCLUSIVE that moves to bring the Columbus Crew manager to Celtic were at an advanced stage.
The style of language used and Gannon’s status as the Celtic man at the Record suggested that he uncovered the story from a very senior and reliable source. Almost every media outlet in Scotland picked up and ran with that report.
FEEL GOOD STORIES
Since Friday Gannon has run a number of feel-good stories about how wonderful Nancy will be for Celtic.
Top spin was applied to every aspect. References used to warm up sceptical fans concerned that Nancy was only a contender because of a connection to Paul Tisdale.
On Monday Celtic threw a spanner in the works. Martin O’Neill will be in charge away to St Mirren on Saturday.
Speculation started over whether Celtic or Nancy had taken cold feet over the proposed move.
Today Gannon bounced back off the ropes. Explaining why there was no comparison between Nancy and Ronny Deila.
Discussing the influence of soccer in the USA in the Record, Gannon claimed:
Soccer doesn’t get much of a look in. It’ll be a whole new world for Nancy if this deal gets nudged over the line as expected.
On Friday the appointment was at an advanced stage. Four days later it is a case of ‘if this deal gets over the line as expected’. Anyone reading Friday’s story might be expecting Nancy to be in the dug out on Saturday night in Paisley.
Yet this is not like the Delia move. While the bold Ronny defied the odds to win the Norwegian title, the step up for Nancy in terms of the actual job won’t be as wild.
Columbus Crew are no small town outfit. The 48-year-old has an extensive coaching staff, analysts, fitness and conditioning experts, he was backed by a superb recruitment set up. He had all the bells and whistles.
Delia didn’t have half of that stuff. He was parachuted in to Celtic on his Todd and it was hardly a surprise he struggled at times with the culture shock.
Nancy will be more prepared. He might meet the similar resistance Delia got, however, and then Ange Postecoglou after him.
The in-built snobbery among some fans when faced with something of the unknown.
In a lot of ways, Nancy is the kind of manager Celtic should be looking to. Okay, the circumstances are rough, with the club midseason with a pile of problems.
There are three ways of reading what prompted Monday’s statement from Celtic.
As usual Michael Nicholson has said nothing on the issue. Even when Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney were introduced the Celtic CEO was posted missing.
His only public interview in four years came in 2023 when he was alongside Peter Lawwell and Brendan Rodgers for the return of the Irishman as manager.
On Friday shareholders will be expecting some detail from Celtic’s shoulder shrugging CEO.
What happened to Celtic's deal for Wilfried Nancy?
NANCY SAID NO- He took a look and opted out
CELTIC SAID NO- He never made the right impression
IT IS STILL HAPPENING- it will be announced soon
It’s as if big Ganny is on speed when babbling about football …100 mph stuff ? From a guy who uses language and words and speech and grammar to make a nice middle class living …with plenty of perks and add one to go with the story telling . When this guy starts to yap …I give up after 6 words ,or the first sentence !
…so Nancy’s being announced on Thursday then?
Or, knowing how amateurish the ‘world class’ Board really is,
his appointment might be announced on Saturday instead!
But, it is a bit dispiriting to accept that keeping MON in position until season end
might be the ‘least worse’ option?
You’d think our club was short of cash! 🙁
THE SCUMMY DAILY RECORD = PATHOLOGICAL LIARS !!!