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<\/p>\nCELTIC are reportedly in advanced talks with Wilfried Nancy in their search for a long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers.<\/p>\n
The 48-year-old Columbus Crew head coach appears to be ready to accept the challenge of leading the champions and bringing an end the club\u2019s near-three week hunt.<\/p>\n
Martin O\u2019Neill, of course, answered the call to take over in an interim capacity following the abrupt and acrimonious departure of Rodgers following back-to-back league defeats against Dundee and Hearts.<\/p>\n
The charismatic Irishman has given the place a much-needed lift with three successive domestic victories, including the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final success over Rangers a fortnight ago to seal a place in the Hampden showpiece against St Mirren on December 14.<\/p>\n
The one blip has been the 3-1 Europa League loss to FC Midtjylland in Denmark.<\/p>\n
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PENSIVE\u2026Wilfried Nancy concentrates on Columbus Crew.<\/p>\n
The qualities of Nancy, who was named MLS Coach of the Year in 2024 and will cost \u00a32million in compensation, are endorsed by former Scotland international defender Steven Caldwell, brother of ex-Hoops star Gary.<\/p>\n
However, the one-time Newcastle and Burnley centre-back also has a word of caution about appointing the Frenchman.<\/p>\n
Caldwell, now an MLS analyst, said: \u201cWilfried\u2019s impressive; a good football guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a student of the game. He\u2019s focused on tactics and patterns of play. He\u2019s a sort of total-football kind of guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he has had great success. Winning the MLS Cup two years ago was huge. Basically that\u2019s like winning the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo do it with a team like Columbus, even though they had good players, was quite an achievement.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore that, his Montreal team had a lot of Canadian internationals such as Alistair Johnston. They had some great success.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s certainly one of the best, if not the best coach in MLS. And he has been for two or three years.\u201d<\/p>\n
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READY FOR THE CHALLENGE\u2026Wilfried Nancy is frontrunner for Celtic boss job.<\/p>\n
However, Caldwell, speaking to the Daily Record<\/a>, countered with: \u201cIs he ready for Celtic? I don\u2019t know. My personal opinion is it\u2019s a big jump, especially where the club are now.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on there, what\u2019s gone on with recruitment? Does he have the absolute best players?<\/p>\n \u201cIs it a great time for the club? I\u2019m not so sure.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got his work cut out. But he feels like he\u2019s been chomping at the bit for a big European club. It feels like this is the one.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking at Celtic\u2019s transfer policy, Caldwell added: \u201cNancy has never had the luxury of buying the biggest designated players in the league, which is essentially a European-style transfer format where you just buy whoever you want.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, he\u2019s had to wheel and deal in the league. I don\u2019t think you could claim he\u2019s been right down the bottom of the order, but it\u2019s been challenging.<\/p>\n \u201cIs he ready for the pressure? I really don\u2019t know. I mean, who is?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a shock. You can tell people what it\u2019s like in Glasgow, but until they\u2019re there, they\u2019ll never understand it.<\/p>\n BACK TO THE FUTURE\u2026Martin O\u2019Neill answered the call to return.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a private guy and\u00a0doesn\u2019t seem to have a massive ego. He won\u2019t be saying controversial things or getting involved with the politics. He\u2019ll diffuse things not put petrol on them.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope he\u2019s a success. I like him. He\u2019s a good guy. His teams play good stuff and he has great ideas.<\/p>\n \u201cThe guys who play for him really like him as a coach and he gets the best out of players.<\/p>\n \u201cPlayers want clarity and they know exactly what\u2019s expected of them.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got a distinct style. He always plays 3-4-2-1. So, while there\u2019s movement and fluidity, he rarely plays four at the back.<\/p>\n \u201cThat will be interesting because I know Celtic have never really been a back-three team.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hoops are due to play St Mirren in Paisley on Saturday evening. Will Nancy be in the visitors\u2019 dug-out? Or will O\u2019Neill continue in his caretaker role?<\/p>\n One thing is certain \u2013 it\u2019s going to be a fairly frantic week ahead for all concerned at the champions.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MARTIN-ONEILL-BOTTLE.png\")
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