It is set to be another huge week for the future of Celtic football club as interim manager Martin O’Neill looks set to oversee his final game in charge before we then see the slightly unexpected appointment of largely unknown Frenchman Wilfried Nancy.
According to reports the 73 year old Northern Irishman will continue to remain in the dug out for midweek encounter with Dundee as contract negotiations with the 48 year old former professional defender continue, but Hoops fans will be intrigued to see how he starts and adjusts to life in the Scottish game as despite his more unknown status in the wider European leagues, he is the 2024 Major League Soccer Coach of the Year and he has had good success with current side Columbus Crew alongside assistant Kwame Ampadu, who is also expected to join him at Celtic Park.
In the last two years Nancy has taken the side to both the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup trophy success, finished second in the league and he also oversaw Columbus’ journey to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, so for those fans who use the likes of NetBet Sport for their flutters his odds on success would have been high, and there is certainly some good optimism that he will be the right man to replace Brendan Rodgers and get us back on track after our recent wobbles and distractions.
There are also a number of reports now doing the rounds that suggest that there are strong similarities between him and former gaffer Ange Postecoglou when it comes to his strength of character, his press conference style with the media and his sometimes overly passionate behaviour on the touch line, and it is believed that head of football operations Paul Tisdale has been keeping a weather eye on his progress for quite some time now and has been very impressed with his continued development.
Those that have followed him in the MLS talk about his attacking intent, his belief in possession and a very aggressive high press and he favours three centre halves with athletic wing backs and Columbus were ranked first for possession, progressive passes and final third tackles, so Celtic fans will likely appreciate his approach to work rate and work ethic.
If Ampadu does join him as is expected, he already knows Tisdale pretty well having served as Under 18 manager at Exeter City when he was there as first team manager, and Nancy would have another familiar face at the club as well in the shape of Alistair Johnston as he signed him at CF Montreal prior to our capture of the 27 year old 56 capped Canadian right back in the 2023 January transfer window.
For now though, it is all eyes to what may be O’Neill’s final game in charge and hopefully he will go out in style with another win to add to what is already an incredible record with us.
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