Frenchman will take charge for the first time in Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Hearts to kick start a massive week.
Kwame Ampadu
Fired-up Wilfried Nancy has vowed to refuel the Celtic Park synergy as he prepares for his first ever taste of Parkhead.
The new Hoops boss gets his reign off and running with a top of the table showdown against Hearts knowing a win will restore the champions to the Premiership summit. Nancy revealed he’s never been to the stadium he now hopes to rock with his brand of attacking football.
And after months of turmoil between sections of the support and the board, the Frenchman is eager to make an instant connection with the punters after replacing Brendan Rodgers. The extension of the Green Brigade ban over safety concerns means a large chunk of the stadium’s standing section will remain closed.
But Nancy is hungry to move forward as one – and knows he will be judged from day one on results.
He said: “This will be my first time (at Celtic Park). I was supposed to come when I was younger because I went to England to watch many games. The timing to come here was not good. So that’s why I was not able to come. So eager. So eager to be there. Really excited.
“I do this job also for the fans. Because I like to create this kind of synergy, this kind of connection. So I’m really excited to start this journey at home against a good team. It’s a big game. It’s a big game for everyone. But for me, each game is a big game because I want to compete in each game.
“So I know the context. No problem with that. So control what you can control. Be good at practice. And be good during the game to maximise our chance to win.”
Derek McInnes’ Jambos have seen their form slip since beating Celtic 3-1 in Gorgie six weeks ago. One win in their last six games is in stark contrast to the Hoops’ five league victories out of five under interim boss Martin O’Neill.
That’s seen Hearts’ lead at the top cut to just goal difference ahead of Sunday’s clash. Nancy has done his homework ahead of his first big test and expects a bruising encounter.
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes
And he said: “I watch many games. Hearts are a really good team, also a physical team. But I think they are not the only team who is like that in terms of physical. We’re going to have to play with personality. And we’re going to have to be able to control the game. Not only by possession.
“It’s all about also to control the momentum of the game. So when we’re going to have bad moments, we’re going to have to be together. And to reverse the battle of power. It’s going to be a dynamic game. And we know the context. We know the way they play, so we’ll see.”
Nancy has spoken to O’Neill after the Irish icon returned for a second stint as boss to steady the ship.
And ahead of a massive first week in post that sees Roma visit Glasgow on Thursday before a rapid chance to lift silverware in next weekend’s League Cup Final with St Mirren, Nancy spoke of his pride following in the footsteps of legendary Hoops bosses.
He said: “Listen, I am passionate about the game. I have a beautiful wife who allows me to watch many games. So all the managers who were managers here, I know them. Not personally, but the style of play and their ways.
“The management of Martin is really, really good. He has a clear style of play. Ange Postecoglou was different. Again, proactive football, but different the way he was playing. And Brendan Rodgers also.
“And after that, maybe I am too young to know the other ones. But my point is, I know what they did. I know their background. I am the next one – and I’m really proud to be here.”
Nancy will have trusted assistant Kwame Ampadu by his side this afternoon. The former Ireland U21 international was his number two at Columbus Crew and CF Montreal but knows the British game after lengthy spells as a player at Swansea, West Brom and Exeter among others.
And Nancy insists that experience will be vital as he gets to grips with the Scottish game.
He said: “I told the board that if Kwame doesn’t come, I will not come! No, I’m joking. Kwame is my friend. He’s my guy. He’s the oldest guy in the staff. And obviously, the background that he has is really important. He knows the culture.
“He was so emotional when I told him that we have the possibility to come here, because Celtic is his club too. So, this is a really nice story. Obviously, he knows also people within the club.
“And obviously, his experience is going to be massive. And that’s why he’s with me. And that’s why we want to assess and process everything.”