Celtic sacked Wilfried Nancy after just 33 days in the job.
As far as managerial appointments go, we’ve certainly had better. Just look at Martin O’Neill’s interim spell that came before.
O’Neill is now back in the door alongside Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus, as the Hoops gear up for a three-way title race.
Nancy’s six defeats in eight games saw the club lose the Premier Sports Cup final and lose significant ground in the Premiership race.
But behind the scenes, Frank McAvennie has heard stories of things indicating problems far beyond results.
What do think of the first Celtic training session under Martin O’Neill? Let us know in the comments.
Shaun Maloney loving the intensity of the Celtic players!
Frank McAvennie on Wilfried Nancy leaving Celtic
Nancy’s departure was confirmed on Monday after a 3-1 defeat to Rangers in the Glasgow Derby.
As of Wednesday, Celtic are now third in the Scottish Premiership table.
READ MORE: Celtic accused of falling for ‘pathetic’ Wilfried Nancy’s ‘marketeering hype’ by Michael Stewart
Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank podcast, McAvennie shared rumours that things had gotten so unsustainable that Nancy would’ve been sacked regardless of the derby result.
He said: “It was on the cards, to be honest with you. I heard – whether you believe it or not – the story was that he was going after Saturday, whether they won or not.
“I heard that the writing was on the wall, because the players aren’t taking to him. You can take that whatever way you want.
“But I don’t think players should ever get any manager sacked – but I’ll tell you this – footballers are simple people.
“We’re not the brightest people in the world. If you fill our head full of nonsense, you’ll only take one little bit in.
“When they’re out on the pitch, they keep coming out with tactics boards, and shouting at McGregor – he’s got his own game to worry about!
“He’s not playing the best, then he’s got to go and tell other people [where to be].
“But it’s unbelievable, how they do that. These coaches, new coaches, – for me, I’d have told him to eff off.”
What message would you send Wilfried Nancy as Celtic sack the manager?
Martin O’Neill’s opening fixtures after Celtic return
O’Neill can rest assured that he doesn’t need to worry about a cup final in his first week in the job – his tenure gets underway with two home league games.
Dundee United come to Celtic Park on Saturday, before the Hoops host Falkirk the following Tuesday.
After that, it’s the Scottish Cup banana skin against Auchinleck Talbot at Rugby Park, before decisive European action.
Celtic are likely to need four points from their remaining two Europa League games later this month, as they travel to Bologna before hosting Utrecht.
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