Wilfried Nancy enters the Celtic building with the team on a real high.
This wasn’t the case in October when Brendan Rodgers departed after losing to Premiership leaders Hearts, who were eight points clear and making a lot of noise at the top.
Thanks to Martin O’Neill’s turnaround, Celtic are now level with Derek McInnes’ side heading into the Sunday showdown at Parkhead.
After Celtic’s narrow win over Dundee on Wednesday night in O’Neill’s final game in charge, he spoke in glowing terms about the players when discussing Nancy’s arrival.
Who was your Celtic MOTM vs Dundee?
Martin O’Neill’s praise for Callum McGregor, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and Kasper Schmeichel
Callum McGregor scored some big goals under O’Neill, as those strikes against Rangers and St Mirren will live long in the memory of the Celtic supporters.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland (03/12/25), after the conclusion of a tense and nervy Dundee game, O’Neill name-checked McGregor for praise when asked for what opinion he would provide Nancy about the squad.
Kasper Schmeichel, who made some key saves against Dundee, was also given his flowers, alongside centre-back duo Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.
“If he (Nancy) asked my opinion on the players, I would give it to him and an honest assessment of the players, said O’Neill. “There would be nothing but a lot of praise for the players.
“What I think about them is that they have really stepped up. They have come up with big moments. From the goalkeeper, who has made some great saves, some outstanding saves for us at really important moments in the games.
“To the two centre-backs, who have been terrific. To the captain, who has been superb. I actually mentioned those because they have been on every single minute.
“Maybe Callum went off in one of the games we were leading. But outside of that, they have been there, and the captain has been a real leader.”
How many wins do you expect from Wilfried Nancy’s first five games in charge?
O’Neill’s record in his second spell as Celtic manager
Many were hoping it would last longer for O’Neill, but one thing is for sure, he has left on a high note and Celtic in a much better place.
The form and mood have been transformed, and hopefully, Nancy can benefit from the platform set by one of Celtic’s greatest-ever managers.
- Games: 8
- Wins: 7
- Draws: 0
- Losses: 1
- Goals scored: 19
- Goals conceded: 6
- Different goal scorers: 10
- Point Per Match: 2.63
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