Less than two weeks ago I welcomed our new manager to Celtic F.C.
Our club is the most successful in Scotland and richer than all the other clubs combined. Our players wages are the highest in our country and attract a massive following across the globe. I stood by the Board Of Directors over the Brendan Rodgers escapade and trusted their judgement on appointing Wilfried Nancy as the next Celtic manager.
Like the majority of Celtic fans this side of the Atlantic, I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about the man yet wholeheartedly wished him all the best on his appointment to the Celtic family. Within 11 days of taking charge of our club his 3-5-2 formation resulted in scoring 3 whilst conceding 10 in four defining matches of our season.
When Martin O'Neill took charge of his 37 day reign prior to Nancys appointment, Martin managed to claw back the 8 point deficit to Hearts in the league, secured a 3-1 win over Feyenoord in the Europa League, won all his league matches and registered a 3-1 William Hill Scottish League Cup Semi Final win over Sevco, Scotlands youngest club.
On 7th December 2025 Nancy found himself in charge of a top of the table clash against Hearts who were by now showing signs of their title challenge collapsing. Instead of continuing our 4-4-2 winning formula Nancy announced he was altering our shape with a new 3-5-2 set up which was completely alien to the squad. Given the importance of the match everyone thought Nancy had either lost the plot or extremely naive. Hearts to their credit defended well and ran out worthy 2-1 winners. The fans seriously questioned Nancys tactics. He genuinely looked like a fish out of water at the side of the pitch. Nor did his credibility heighten when he suddenly produced a red, white and blue coloured hand held tactics board, shouted over the captain, explained all the possible formations to our captain within 2 or 3 seconds, but completely unaware the Hearts manager Derek McInnes was looking over Nancys shoulder and within close hearing distance to Nancys instructions to McGregor. It was a horror show and now trailed Hearts again in the league.
On 11th December 2025, Nancy was in charge of our must win Europa League match again at home, against AS Roma. He declared the team would maintain playing with his 3-5-2 format whereby we trailed 3-0 before half time. The second half was merely a training session for the Italians. Now it looks unlikely we'll continue playing European football past Christmas and lose a fortune on income.
On 14th December 2025 Nancy led the team out at Hampden Park, Glasgow for the William Hill Scottish League Cup Final against St. Mirren who were sitting 9th in our league table. Martin O'Neills side already beat the same opponents on their own turf 3 weeks beforehand so most fans quietly expected to lift the trophy.
When the teams were announced over the PA system, it immediately became evident to all n sundry that Nancy was still sticking to his guaranteed defeat 3-5-2 format. St. Mirren, a side low in confidence and fighting relegation in the league, convincingly trashed Celtic 3-1 to remove the trophy from the Celtic Park trophy room.
On 17th December 2025 Nancy took the side to Dundee to play Dundee United in our must win league match to keep some form of pressure on Hearts. Nancy utilised his beloved 3-5-2 format whereby Celtic were simply dreadful losing 2-1 to our hosts. At the final whistle, Wilfried Nancy became the first ever manager during our clubs illustrious 137 year history to record four straight defeats in their opening matches during an 11 day season defining period.
I never thought it possible but the football being produced is arguably worse than a Brendan Rodgers side. It's the same group of players Martin O'Neill utilised to win 6 out of 7 games only losing 3-1 away to Midtjylland who are joint top of the Europa League table.
Whoever on the Board Of Directors were responsible for appointing Nancy as the Celtic manager must surely take accountability of their own position within the club and resign.
