There was a sense of the unknown when Celtic turned towards Wilfried Nancy as their new manager in December.
Many Celtic supporters wanted to know more about their new coach, including why those in the Parkhead boardroom were knocking on the door of the MLS to replace Brendan Rodgers.
Nigel Reo-Coker, who had a strong Premier League career spanning over a decade, was living out in the United States of America post-retirement, and he had watched Nancy up close and personal.
The former Aston Villa and West Ham United midfielder was complimentary towards Nancy and the work he had done in his coaching career so far.
But weeks after Celtic booted Nancy out of the door, Reo-Coker’s compliments have quickly turned into pure criticism.
- READ MORE: Jim White pushes Martin O’Neill on Celtic fans and board relationship after transfer window closes
How much responsibility should the players take for Nancy’s tenure, given how quickly they seem to have turned it around with Dundee win?
Nigel Reo-Coker takes a swipe at sacked Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
Celtic recently beat Utrecht to progress to the play-off stages of the Europa League, and Reo-Coker was discussing the difference from when Nancy was in charge to what Martin O’Neill is now bringing to the table.
Reo-Coker didn’t mince his words and explained that the Frenchman was ‘too aggressive’ with his changes, and how he should have learned from someone like Ruben Amorim.
One of the things Nancy didn’t seem to grasp or understand is what the champions of Scotland are all about, and Reo-Coker hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘Celtic is a result-based club.’
“Let’s not make it super complicated,” stated Reo-Coker.
“He went in there, and he was too aggressive with the change. That’s the biggest problem. He didn’t have the players you wanted to play in the style and the system.
“Like you said, the smart thing would be. You know what, we have a good thing going, let’s keep it that way to get results. Celtic is a results-based football club. You need to win, regardless of who you are; that’s the first thing they want you to do: win.
“He tried to change too much, and it didn’t work. He should have seen from Ruben Amorim, he should have learnt from that situation.”
Reo-Coker lauds his ex-Aston Villa Martin O’Neill
Reo-Coker worked under O’Neill at Aston Villa, so he is well aware of the magic the legendary Irishman can conjure up.
Everyone is now seeing how well O’Neill is doing at Celtic; it’s night and day from what was being produced under Nancy.
Nonetheless, Reo-Coker explained what O’Neill will be asking of this current crop of Celtic players.
“He has gone back there and made it very simple,” said Reo-Coker. “The way that Celtic play is exactly how he had us playing at Aston Villa.
“He wants you to press from the top. Very high on his wingers and strikers. When it comes to set-pieces, his two centre-backs, you’d better be aggressive in heading the ball. Not surprised that Trusty is getting goals now and being more aggressive when it comes to set-pieces.
“That’s the pattern that has been happening in all the teams that he has managed.”
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