TEAMtalk can outline the current situation surrounding Wilfried Nancy at Celtic, with the French coach still in charge but facing growing uncertainty as pressure continues to build. Sources indicate that the possibility of a comeback for a former fan favourite is now being viewed as increasingly realistic.
Celtic’s damaging 3-1 home loss to Rangers on Saturday saw their rivals draw level on points and left the Hoops six points behind league leaders Hearts. The result intensified scrutiny on Nancy, whose side have now lost six of their last eight matches, prompting visible unrest among supporters after the final whistle.
Despite the backlash, Nancy has publicly backed himself to reverse the club’s fortunes. Speaking to BBC Scotland after the game, the former Columbus Crew boss insisted his focus was on the fans rather than his own position, admitting he understood the disappointment but stressing his belief in what the team can still achieve. He maintained that the group remains close to turning a corner and said he feels aligned with the club’s hierarchy.
However, insiders suggest the situation behind the scenes is less settled. TEAMtalk source Fraser Fletcher reports that the board have already held internal talks about Nancy’s future and were unimpressed by his optimistic reaction to the defeat. There are also concerns about the direction of the squad, with suggestions that frustration is growing within the dressing room.
Should Celtic decide to make a change in the short term, Fletcher claims Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney would both be open to stepping in on an interim basis, potentially until the end of the season. Looking further ahead, a return for Ange Postecoglou is now viewed as a more genuine possibility than in recent months, although any move would depend on firm assurances from the board.
Postecoglou enjoyed a highly successful two-year spell at Celtic, winning five trophies including back-to-back league titles, before departing for Tottenham Hotspur where he later lifted the Europa League. The Australian has been without a club since his dismissal from Nottingham Forest in October after an eight-game winless run.
Away from the managerial uncertainty, Celtic have also shown interest in strengthening their squad. Sources confirm enquiries have been made about Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan ahead of the January window. At the same time, the recruitment department is stepping up its work to support Nancy if he remains in charge, with two priority targets having been closely monitored and now under serious consideration.