Wilfried Nancy’s time in charge at Celtic lasted just 33 days, during which he oversaw six defeats in eight matches; the Hoops are now enjoying a domestic winning streak under Martin O’Neill.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor has told Sky Sports News that Wilfried Nancy’s attempt to change “too much too soon” ultimately led to his downfall.
The Frenchman was dismissed after only 33 days at the helm, with a 3-1 loss to Rangers proving to be the final game of a disastrous spell.
During Nancy’s short tenure, Celtic lost six of their eight matches and twice failed to capitalise on opportunities to draw level with Hearts at the summit of the Premiership.
He swiftly abandoned the Hoops’ preferred 4-3-3 system in favour of his own 3-4-3 formation. McGregor believes the scale of that tactical shift meant the team was always likely to struggle.
“For me, it was just a little bit too much too soon in terms of that change and quite a big change away from what the team had been,” the captain said ahead of Sunday’s Premiership clash with Hearts, live on Sky Sports.
To go from a team that is super aggressive on the front foot for 10 plus years, playing a certain way and then you bring in the nuance of the league and playing in Scotland, my belief is that you get as much pressure on the ball as much as you can and try and press the game as high as you can and actually eliminates a lot of the defending that you have to do in terms of box defending.
“Not to say that it can’t work, but I think everybody is well aware of the time and no pre-season and so many games, so many important games.
Really, really tough situation to come in and have a game every three days where you’re almost learning in the game and we all know that trying to learn in this environment is probably the harshest environment that you can have.
When you take away that confidence, everybody starts to struggle with that.
“You have to go to the pitch and have confidence and belief in yourself and, ultimately, when you lose games that does waver.
“We’re all human beings at the end of the day, so it does affect you.”
Still in the conversation
Celtic sit six points behind Premiership leaders Hearts in the title race, but a run of victories under Martin O’Neill during his two spells as interim manager has ensured they remain competitive.
“There’s been so many negative stories going about this season. There actually is so much positive to look forward to, so much to play for and the players have drawn a line under it,” the 32-year-old added.
“I think now for everyone externally as well we have to draw a line under it and move forward because if we keep dwelling on it, we aren’t going to achieve what it is we want to achieve.
“The players are at peace with that and we know we’ve put ourselves in a difficult position, but still in the conversation with a huge game to come on Sunday.”