There is a sense of excitement in the air as the Wilfried Nancy era is about to begin at Celtic.
It has been just over a month since Brendan Rodgers left Celtic, so the supporters have waited a long time for a permanent manager to come in.
A lot has been said about Nancy’s imminent arrival, mainly because he has only managed in the MLS and he isn’t a European proven boss.
But watching on from Stateside, Craig Burley shared his thoughts on Celtic closing in on Nancy’s appointment, and the perceptions of the American audience.
Poll: Do you want Wilfried Nancy to become the new Celtic manager?
Craig Burley tells the American audience about Celtic ahead of Wilfried Nancy’s arrival
It was suggested on ESPN that ‘Celtic think they are an elite club’, and how the feelings from fans are that they are ‘above’ a manager of Nancy’s calibre.
But Burley pointed out how Celtic are always expected to get the ‘crème de la crème’, and it’s only finances that have stopped them from being able to bring in the ‘top managers.’
“Our colleague Jeff Carlisle messaged me a week or two ago saying, ‘That Celtic were going to get Wilfried Nancy from one of the MLS clubs,'” said Burley.
“French manager, who apparently has done very well. Celtic have sort of headhunted him. That has happened, or it looks like it’s going to happen.
“I don’t know the backstory of the fans. I don’t know whether the fans are in uproar about it. I don’t know what the reaction has been to this news.
“But I can tell you that Celtic and Rangers fans always feel that they should be getting the crème de la crème.
“If truth be known, these days, they aren’t spending enough money to bring in the top managers, so they are looking at people who are (unknown). I was surprised Brendan Rodgers went back there.
“Anyway, they have gone for this French fella. But fans are fickle anyway. All he needs to do is get a few results, and they will be on his side.”
‘Very hard crowd to please’ ahead of Nancy’s arrival
Burley played for Celtic for a two-year period just before Martin O’Neill arrived in 2000, including helping the Hoops win the double under the legendary Wim Jansen.
The former Scotland international understands what it’s like playing in front of a Celtic crowd, and he stated how they are a ‘very hard crowd to please.’
Wilfried Nancy’s managerial record
“But trust me, going to Scotland, they are a hard crowd to please,” added Burley. “Very hard crowd to please.”
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