Wilfried Nancy has made three changes to the Celtic side that started against Motherwell for today’s Glasgow Derby.
Liam Scales, Paolo Bernardo and Reo Hatate drop out with Luke McCowan, Arne Engels and Johnny Kenny coming into the side.
It looks like Kieran Tierney will return to the left of the Celtic defence with Maeda moving left to accommodate Kenny through the centre.
Midfield appears to be a straight swap with Bernardo and Hatate replaced by McCowan and Engels.
It seems certain that Nancy is persisting with his 3-4-3 system which has been heavily debated.
Defeat to Motherwell in midweek left Celtic trailing Hearts by three points. Another defeat today and their city rivals will be level on points with 20 matches played in the campaign.
BACKGROUND
After five defeats in seven matches the pressure is all on Nancy to prove that he can manage Celtic. Many fans have already decided that the Frenchman isn’t upto the task.
His case wasn’t helped on Friday when he went off on a highly animated rant during a media conference where few of his arguments stood up.
After seven matches most fans would say that Celtic play with three defenders. One centre-back and two full-backs.
Nancy disagrees claiming that his flexible system allows various options.
Whatever the system, tactics or players Nancy has yet to deliver with the 2-0 defeat at Motherwell possibly the worst performance under the Frenchman.
Martin O’Neill delivered a memorable 3-1 victory over Danny Rohl in the semi-final of the League Cup.
With home advantage Celtic fans ought to expect at least a similar result.
However after a month with Nancy in charge there are virtually no signs of confidence among home fans going into today’s match.
Steven McLean will referee today’s match with Kevin Clancy on the VAR studio.
CELTIC: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Engels, McCowan; Yang, Kenny, Maeda
SUBS: Sinisalo, Araujo, Scales, Shin, Forrest, Donovan, Murray, Hatate, Bernardo
That is 3-4-3 to me, relying on Yang and Maeda to defend the wings. Not what I may have gone for. But, hey, I am not the manager!
Regardless of having that clown as ‘manager/coach/wtf’ the players have enough to beat the new huns. They need to ignore him, play their own game and the bonus is it’ll make his position untenable.
COYBIG
For the first time I can remember, I can’t bring myself to watch it.
If the Motherwell performance is repeated, they will take all 3 points without a whimper in return.
I hope I’m wrong and I miss a classic win, but I just can’t stomach watching him have the players running around like headless chickens.
Come on the Hoops. Any win will do for me.?
Half-Time and all is well.
Celtic are winning!
But Football is a game of two halfs. And things are known to go awry, just when they are not supposed to!
Wow! Celtic have just substituted and brought on Shin. At 1-3 down!
The Club is a disgrace!
Chermiti’s value has just doubled, just on the back of this game. And Butland’s has quadrupled!
Shame on Celtic!
My God. This guy Nonecy must go, it’s just incomprehensible
He’s still in denial saying he’ll turn it all around !