Wilfried Nancy’s first week at Celtic has been anything but quiet.
After his first game, a 2-1 home defeat to Hearts, people had plenty to say already… about more than just the result.
Nancy’s use of a tactics board and his comments about ‘[not being] all about winning’ became ammo for the mainstream media, putting the Frenchman firmly up against it already.
So as predictable as it was, Thursday’s 3-0 defeat to Roma has continued the conversation. Many appreciate the context and are ready to give him time, but others are already questioning the new manager.
Chris Sutton isn’t having this, as he has made absolutely clear ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren.
Sum up Wilfried Nancy’s first week at Celtic in one word…
Chris Sutton’s strong defence of Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
Nancy’s tough task has only been made tougher by the team’s strong run of results under the interim charge of Martin O’Neill.
And though his first two games may have been important, the upcoming final will be the biggest of them all.
For Sutton though, speaking in his column for the Daily Record, Nancy needs time – even if the worst happens at Hampden.
He said: “There have been some wild takes about Wilfried Nancy after a difficult first week in the job.
“And Sutton, I’ve even seen some fans suggesting if the League Cup Final doesn’t go Celtic’s way he should be sacked. It’s utter madness.
“Don’t get me wrong. Nancy badly needs to get up and running and he really has to get his hands on the first trophy of the season. But to suggest he should be emptied if it goes St Mirren’s way is just ridiculous.
“Even if the unthinkable happens at Hampden – Nancy still needs to be given time.
“I feel sorry for the Frenchman in a lot of ways. He’s come in at a horrible stage of the season and he’s got a squad that has been severely hampered by injuries and a lack of quality in key areas.
“Yes, my old boss Martin O’Neill managed to string some results together but the performances were not always great and there was always going to be a time when that came back to bite them.
“The Hearts defeat could have happened on his watch. Likewise, Celtic could – and probably would – have lost to Roma the other night whether it was Nancy, O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers, Ange Postecoglou or anyone else in charge.
“In terms of Postecoglou, people can point to the rough start he had at the club. It was a bumpy ride at first and he did come under pressure.
“But he also had a full pre-season to implement his own ideas. Nancy barely has had a handful of training sessions.
“The delay in getting him in has really caused him a problem and it’s got him right up against it from the off.”
Should Wilfried Nancy be sacked if Celtic lose the Premier Sports Cup final?
Who else has been defending Wilfried Nancy at Celtic?
Nancy’s naysayers will inevitably be getting more coverage in the media, but there are ex-Celts defending him too.
Joe Hart says that it’s not Nancy’s fault that he isn’t fully aware of the environment in Glasgow yet, encouraging people at the club to help him understand.
Paul Lambert was just as scathing of Nancy’s doubters, saying that the Frenchman can ‘do what he wants’ as Celtic manager.
And Stiliyan Petrov says he ‘feels sorry’ for Nancy, baffled by the timing of his arrival by the Celtic board.
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