Wilfried Nancy will bring a new level of excitement to Celtic if and when he is appointed the club’s new manager.
Not only does a new coach bring a sense of freshness to proceedings, and Celtic needs it, but what that individual brings to the table can also elevate things.
That will certainly be the case with Nancy’s three at the back system and two-man midfield, as Celtic supporters wait for him to be appointed their new coach.
But from the current crop of Celtic players, how will they fare in a system many of them are not used to, because this isn’t a road the champions of Scotland usually go down?
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesCallum McGregor in Wilfried Nancy’s system
Let’s be honest, Callum McGregor hasn’t been at his best this season, and the midfield has probably been the biggest problem area before Martin O’Neill’s return.
Speaking on Clyde 1, Ross McCormack is worried about how Nancy’s two-man midfield, with three at the back, will harm a player like McGregor.
The former striker doesn’t think the Celtic captain, who turned 32 in June, now has the legs to play in a role that is more demanding than when he plays as a number six, with two number eights ahead of him.
“Do you (Marvin Bartley) think, and you have obviously played against Celtic this year, Marvin, at Livingston (as a coach),” said McCormack.
“Do you think that, and I know Celtic have a lot of central midfield players, but does playing as a two suit many of them?
“I look at Callum McGregor this season. He probably looks as if he has lost a little bit of sharpness. Getting around the pitch.
“So, what happens then? If it isn’t going to suit him. He is the club captain. You have to play him.”
What is McGregor’s best position for Celtic?
Bartley is part of David Martindale’s coaching staff at newly-promoted Livingston, and he faced Celtic in August, losing 3-0, with McGregor coming off the bench.
From his coaching perspective, Bartley agreed with McCormack’s worries and feels Celtic’s man with the armband is better as a six in a three-man midfield.
“I think you make a great point,” responded Bartley. “I think he is definitely better as a six. I think when you do make him go in there as a two.
“Are they going to get overan, in terms of playing against a three? It makes it a lot more difficult for them. It’s a lot more running for players in that area.
“I think Callum McGregor’s best position is a six, especially if you go on in your area, the first thing that starts to go are your legs, in any position.
“Keeping him as a six and having him tick things over, it’s definitely something a new manager would want to do.”