After the Old Firm defeat, it is being suggested that a change in the Celtic dugout is now more likely than ever.
Chris Sutton believes Wilfried Nancy is lucky to still be in charge following the loss to Rangers. The Frenchman has endured a torrid spell since taking over, inheriting a side that had stabilised under Martin O’Neill’s interim leadership. O’Neill, at 73, lost just once during his short stint, and the contrast in results since Nancy’s arrival has been stark.
The derby defeat may have pushed matters to breaking point. Celtic started brightly and took an early lead, but familiar weaknesses soon resurfaced. Youssef Chermiti’s equaliser sparked a dramatic downturn, with Rangers seizing control before Mikey Moore struck to make it 3-1 and put the contest beyond doubt. Celtic never recovered, and Sutton feels the manager’s position is now hanging by a thread.
Sutton said he did not think Rangers were at their best, yet still had far too much for Celtic. He added that while not everything can be pinned on Nancy, the situation is clearly not working and the club must act decisively. Sutton questioned whether sticking with the current manager gives Celtic the best chance of winning the Premiership, suggesting there may be stronger alternatives available.
With pressure building at boardroom level, reports claim a potential successor is now coming into sharper focus.
According to TEAMtalk, a return for Ange Postecoglou is now considered more achievable than at any point since his departure, with Celtic chiefs having already met to discuss Nancy’s future. The Australian, who previously delivered success with an attacking 4-3-3 system, would reportedly require assurances from the board before agreeing to come back in the summer.
Despite mixed spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, Postecoglou’s achievements at Celtic still carry significant weight. His track record makes him an appealing option, even if supporters would need to wait until the end of the season.
In the short term, Celtic must decide how to steady the ship. One possibility is turning again to O’Neill, who came close to a perfect run during his interim tenure and could be asked to step in once more. The alternative is to persist with Nancy and hope results finally improve.
After a damaging derby defeat and visible fan unrest, that path looks increasingly difficult to justify.