Chris Sutton laughs off suggestion that Wilfried Nancy appointment is a ‘distraction’ for Celtic

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Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic arrival has come with interesting timing.

The Columbus Crew boss was pursued for a number of weeks before Celtic announced him before Martin O’Neill’s farewell against Dundee on Wednesday.

Nancy was initially expected in the door after the Hibs fixture on Sunday, but O’Neill delivered the surprise news that this wasn’t the case shortly before that game.

The timing of Nancy’s incoming means that he faces a daunting run of fixtures to begin with – crucial encounters in three different competitions.

Given the momentum that the side had built under O’Neill, could this be a distraction?

Chris Sutton on Wilfried Nancy being a ‘distraction’ at Celtic

At the beginning of the season, few could’ve expected Celtic to be on their third manager of the season already come December fourth.

Brendan Rodgers’ Honda Civic comments feel like years ago already.

READ MORE: Four things to look out for in Wilfried Nancy’s first Celtic press conference

This could be unsettling for a squad used to stability, but for Chris Sutton – speaking to Sky Sports – it’s not an excuse.

Asked if the timing of the appointment could make it a distraction, Sutton said: “Not really, because this appointment was doing the rounds for quite a long time.

“Everybody knew that Wilfried Nancy was going to come in, it was just about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

“I think everyone thought that Dundee would’ve been the game where Wilfried Nancy started, and Martin O’Neill had those three tough away games to navigate, which he navigated superbly.

“But he’s in now. As I say, he’s taking over a team in a much better position than they were five weeks ago.

“I think he can do both [take O’Neill’s advice and put his own stamp on the team]. He will have his own idea and philosophy, a way of playing, of course.

“But I think he would be foolish not to pick Martin O’Neill’s brains. Just on how he sees this current squad, at this moment in time.

“I know Martin is on record saying that there needs to be additions in January, I’d certainly agree with that.

“Wilfried Nancy will be his own man, but why wouldn’t you touch on somebody Martin O’Neill’s experience? He should be picking his brains.”

Celtic managers to arrive mid-season

Celtic’s last mid-season managerial change was in the disastrous 2020-21 season, but John Kennedy had little to play for after replacing Neil Lennon.

It was Lennon himself who was the last to win trophies after coming in mid-season, playing his part in the treble treble after Rodgers’ departure in 2019.

He also did it in 2010, coming in to replace Tony Mowbray. A shock Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County led to fears that he’d lose his job, but a perfect league record led to his full-time appointment.

Lou Macari and Kenny Dalglish are the only others to have come in mid-season since Jock Stein.