Celtic told signing Wilfried Nancy as the new manager will be groundbreaking

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There has been a lot of opinion surrounding Celtic looking to bring Wilfried Nancy in as their next manager.

The speculation surrounding Nancy hit fever pitch when reports suggested Celtic were closing in on the Frenchman to take over from Brendan Rodgers.

The Celtic fan feeling on Nancy is split as many believe the 48-year-old doesn’t have the necessary experience to take on a club like Celtic, whilst others are excited about the brand of football he can bring.

But for Hibs legend, Kevin Harper, he’s excited about Nancy’s possible move to Celtic for a completely different reason.

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Celtic-linked Wilfried Nancy will ‘instantly become a poster boy for black and ethnic coaches’

Harper was a revelation at Hibs in the early nineties where he spent six years in Scottish football.

However, the former Easter Road striker reckons that as soon as Nancy signs a Celtic contract, he will become an instant landmark signing by the Parkhead club.

Harper told The Sunday Post, “Celtic had John Barnes as their head coach working under Kenny Dalglish 25 years ago, but it looks like Wilfried Nancy could be about to become their first black manager.

“If so, it will be great as he will instantly become a poster boy for black and ethnic coaches over here.

“Someone who they could look up to and say: ‘That could be me one day’. Which is something you just do not get in Scottish football.

“When I went in at Albion Rovers, I became the first black manager in 15 years. The fact he is even in the process is encouraging.”

When will Celtic likely announce Nancy?

It’s hard to say. As long as Celtic pay Columbus Crew the £2m compensation fee, fans would have to imagine that contract talks would be fairly straightforward.

Nancy is reportedly willing to work under Celtic’s stringent transfer conditions that removes another potential stumbling block.

With Celtic set to face St Mirren on Saturday, if the club want Nancy in the dugout for that game then the Frenchman would have to be announced for the first training session after the international break, which is likely to be Thursday or Friday.

Obviously this is all speculation, but until an official announcement is made, Celtic supporters will be keeping a close eye on developments.