Following defeat in the Old Firm derby, is is now reportedly more “realistic” than ever that Celtic replace Wilfried Nancy with a key managerial target.
Chris Sutton: Nancy will be “fortunate” to survive Rangers defeat
It’s been an utter disaster for Nancy ever since his arrival. The Frenchman had the tough task of following on from Martin O’Neill’s excellent interim spell in charge, which saw the 73-year-old lose just once, and to say that he has not picked up where the veteran manager left off would be an understatement.
Defeat in the Old Firm derby may well be the nail in the coffin for his tenure. Celtic initially came flying out the blocks, racing into a 1-0 lead, but their fragilities soon came to the fore.
One Youssef Chermiti goal signalled an almighty collapse and Rangers had their rivals on the ropes before Mikey Moore delivered the knock-out blow to seal a 3-1 victory. The Bhoys were out for the count and there’s now every chance that Nancy’s tenure is waved off, according to Chris Sutton.
“I didn’t think this was a Rangers team at their very best. But for Wilfried Nancy – one way, Wilf! It’s not working. I think he’ll be fortunate to survive this.
“People say, ‘well, it’s not Wilfried Nancy’s fault’, and maybe it isn’t, but the club have to be really decisive.
“They can’t hang around in terms of getting players in, but if they want to stick with Wilfried Nancy, and I’m not so sure that they should, because there’s probably a guy out there where they’d stand a better chance of winning the Premiership with.”
It’s hard to argue against Sutton’s verdict and Parkhead chiefs are already reportedly considering Nancy’s future, with a “realistic” replacement now emerging.
Postecoglou’s Celtic return now more “realistic” than ever
According to TEAMtalk, Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic return is now more “realistic” than ever in the summer after Parkhead chiefs met to discuss Nancy’s immediate future at the club.
The Australian, who favours a 4-3-3 formation, would reportedly need a number of promises to seal his return in the summer, but those are promises that the Bhoys should do everything to match. In terms of options, Postecoglou is arguably the best that Celtic have even after his difficult spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.
His record speaks for itself and there’s no doubt that Postecoglou’s return would be worth the wait. In the meantime, however, Celtic must find a solution.
Whether that means a second return for O’Neill this season is the big question. The 73-year-old almost had a perfect record in his first interim spell this season and could get the chance to pick up where he left off.
The other option, of course, is that Celtic stick with Nancy in the hope that he finally turns a corner in Scotland. But after fan protest and Old Firm derby defeat, that corner is beginning to become more and more impossible.