This is going to be a pretty tough week for Wilfried Nancy.
Celtic’s new coach is going to have to suck it all up because he is going to get a lot of heat after a disastrous start.
If Nancy thought losing to Hearts in the Premiership, and then getting outclassed by Roma in the Europa League, was bad enough, it hit new, dark and problematic heights as Celtic were well-beaten by St Mirren in the League Cup final on Sunday at Hampden.
Before Nancy walked through the Parkhead doors, there were several questions around the timing of his appointment, and unfortunately for him, it raised its ugly head once again after the St Mirren loss.
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Is this the end for Wilfried Nancy?
Does Wilfried Nancy ‘regret’ timing of Celtic gig?
Let’s be honest, the three games Nancy has taken charge of – Hearts, Roma, and the final. Would have been tough for O’Neill to navigate, and he only lost one match in interim charge.
Given the troubles Nancy has faced. The lack of time to prepare, and the opponents he has had to deal with straightaway, he was asked by a reporter on BBC Radio Scotland whether he ‘regrets’ starting against Hearts.
But in a pretty fiery and blunt response, the former MLS coach wanted to make it clear that ‘I am not like that’, and he ‘accepts the challenge’ that is being put in front of him.
Reporter: “No regrets that you took the job when you did?”
Nancy: “I don’t understand the question.”
Reporter: “You could have maybe taken the job at a different time. Any regrets to come in with these massive games?”
Nancy: “No, no, no. I am not like that. I know why I am here. I am happy to be here. I knew about the challenge, like I said before, and I accept the challenge.
“This is not an issue. This is not a problem regarding myself, okay. After that, here is everything we have to do better.
“But it’s not a problem or concerning myself.”
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When could Nancy have ideally taken over from Martin O’Neill?
One of the main issues has been Nancy changing formation, and the players looking, playing and acting like they are confused.
Perhaps that would have been cooled down by the former Columbus Crew coach coming in during a time when there were no midweek games.
Of course, the November international break was an ideal time to bring Nancy in, but they were still seemingly doing his paperwork.
Since then, the Hoops have had no midweek breaks, and the next one is due between December 21-27, for the home tie against Aberdeen, and then Livingston away.
Or O’Neill could have remained in charge until the Rangers game on January 3, and the next three games that followed would have been:
- Vs Dundee United (H), Premiership, January 10
- Vs Falkirk (A), Premiership, January 14
- Vs Auchinleck Talbot (N), Scottish Cup, January 18
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