That was a difficult start for Wilfried Nancy and the Celtic players.
There was a lot to take in, mainly Nancy’s new system after he was appointed Celtic’s new manager only a few days ago.
Many were wondering whether Nancy would deploy his system straight away, and he didn’t waste any time, because he dived straight into the deep end at Celtic.
On the one hand, that bravery needs to be applauded, but it resulted in Celtic losing to Hearts on Sunday in the Premiership, as there are already issues to deal with, especially at the back.
How would you rate the players’ performances?
Auston Trusty in Wilfried Nancy’s new system after Celtic’s defeat to Hearts
Nancy started three left-footed centre-backs, with Auston Trusty, on the right of a three, Liam Scales in the middle, and Kieran Tierney on the other side.
It was always going to be a tough ask for Trusty, and Ryan McGowan noted how Hearts allowed players like the American to have the ball because of the unbalanced and difficult situation he was in.
Speaking on Sky Sports Football (07/12/25), McGowan felt Trusty was ‘scared’ on the ball, and the Celtic team were lacking that spark, which is clearly evident from the manager’s lack of time on the training pitch.
“You heard McInnes before that game that he had heard that it was a back three,” stated McGowan.
“I am guessing he would have thought that Trusty would be on the right. I think he just allowed Trusty to have the ball for most of the half. I think his players held their shape really, really well. Defended their box when it came in, and it carried a threat.
“Their front three are dangerous. Any opportunity they went forward, they were making the right decisions, whereas Celtic’s forward line or midfield seemed to always maybe take that extra touch. It was just a little bit more uncertain. I don’t know whether that’s because the new manager has come in, with the way he wants to play.
“It is a big change. When you are used to playing in a four, it does make it difficult. If you are on either side of the middle one, the way that the team plays, you have to step in. You have to be able to make those passes.
“I think Trusty got scared a little bit. McInnes just left them on the ball, and that rarely happens. As soon as he got on the ball, you could see all the Hearts players, the midfielders, come back and say, ‘do something.’
“I thought he got caught in a position where he was forcing things through, or he was taking too long. I felt maybe they tried to change too much.”
You have £20m to spend in the January transfer window. How are you spending it?
Celtic’s centre-back options available to Nancy right now
Not only does Nancy need time on the training pitch, and the players need to get used to his system, but he also requires balance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers’ long-term injury has been a big blow because if he were available, then he would start in a back three.
But whilst Nancy tries to wrestle Celtic’s packed schedule, what options can he play in a back three from now until the January transfer window opens?
- Auston Trusty
- Liam Scales
- Dane Murray
- Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
- Anthony Ralston
- Kieran Tierney
- Hayato Inamura
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