Wilfried Nancy is just two games into his time at Celtic.
And ahead of third, there are already conversations going on about his future.
Welcome to Glasgow. Nancy is the first manager to ever lose both of his first two games at Celtic, but in fairness, not many will have started against the league leaders and a top European side.
Regardless, Nancy’s instant change to a 3-4-3 has been criticised, given the team’s strong results with a back four under the interim charge of Martin O’Neill.
But speaking about the Roma defeat, Charlie Mulgrew doesn’t think that it was anything to do with formation.
Was Wilfried Nancy right to instantly implement his 3-4-3 at Celtic?
Charlie Mulgrew on Wilfried Nancy Celtic claim
Nancy signed a two-and-a-half year deal, and will clearly need time to establish his formation and leadership style.
But Celtic aren’t a club for ‘project’ managers – not least when they have won the last four Premiership titles.
READ MORE: Chris Sutton sets the record straight on ‘ridiculous’ things he’s hearing about Wilfried Nancy
Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren would be a good place for Nancy to start winning, and ease early concerns.
But on the Go Radio Football Show, one caller is convinced that, after just two games, he’s seen enough to think that Nancy won’t last the season.
Mulgrew replied: “You say he’s not going to be a success… what are you basing that on?
“Is it just the two games? Or stuff he’s said? How are you so sure that he’s not going to be a success?”
The caller responded that he didn’t think the formation was working, and Nancy wouldn’t be successful if he stuck with it.
Mulgrew said: “For me, [Thursday] night, I don’t think it was anything to do with formation.
“I think last night was to do with how Celtic played short from the back, every single time, and never looked to play a ball over the top.
“I don’t think, regardless of what formation he would’ve played, it would’ve made a difference – because they lock on man-for-man anyway, so it doesn’t matter, at any time, where your players are.
“It will be a completely different game on Sunday – St Mirren will defend their 18-yard-box. Roma defended the halfway line. They stood there, they pressed high, and the space was in behind Roma.
“Celtic didn’t play to that space. Personally, I didn’t think it was anything to do with formations.”
Should Wilfried Nancy be sacked if Celtic lose the Premier Sports Cup final?
Wilfried Nancy’s formation at Celtic
Nancy’s 3-4-3 led to some scintillating football at Columbus – but imposing it on this Celtic squad with little training time was always going to be a challenge.
Kieran Tierney is being used on the left of the back three despite being the only recognised left-back available. If he were to move to the wing-back slot, someone else would likely have to play out of position.
This is the issue that Nancy has – he doesn’t have a suitable squad, but is clearly determined to still make it work. Who knows, Yang Hyun-Jun could end up channelling his inner Victor Moses.
But what seems more likely is an absolutely crucial January window… but after how the summer went, Hoops fans will understandably be cautious to expect anything.
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