This is a huge, huge week for Celtic.
Wilfried Nancy is getting verbal pelters left, right and centre after losing his first three games in charge of Celtic, and now it’s a trip to Tannadice to take on Dundee United on Wednesday night in the Premiership.
It was interesting hearing Martin O’Neill talk about Celtic’s situation on the radio, as Richard Keys has been pretty critical of the board for letting him go.
Even during O’Neill’s interim spell, many were debating whether Celtic should keep him on board, given the wave of momentum he had built, but also the heavy schedule that the new boss would have had to deal with.
In the end, Celtic opted to draft in Nancy, and now it’s looking like one of the worst calls ever.
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Richard Keys critical of Celtic board for not keeping Martin O’Neill
Richard Keys wrote on his personal blog that it was ‘utter madness’ from the Celtic board to let O’Neill go, and then bring in Nancy, who has brought a completely new set of ideas and way of playing to the table.
The former Sky Sports presenter suggested that the powers that be felt ‘O’Neill had done enough to settle things down’ after Brendan Rodgers’ exit.
Added to that, ‘directors weren’t getting stick anymore’ amid the ‘feel-good factor’ with the champions of Scotland, but clearly, it has been proven otherwise.
“Directors often run businesses very successfully, but completely lose their marbles when it comes to football,” wrote Keys.
“It’s always been like that, so we make allowances for poor judgment and daft decisions. But nowadays we have professionals – full-time CEO’s and directors of football. The idea, of course, is to try avoid such issues, yet still it goes horribly wrong.
“The most recent example of utter madness? Celtic. What on earth were they thinking when they stood Martin O’Neill down and replaced him with a cross between Inspector Clouseau and Russell Martin? And did so three games before a cup final?
“Here’s my best guess. Somebody clearly thought O’Neill had done enough to settle things down post-Rodgers at Parkhead. Directors weren’t getting stick anymore, and O’Neill had brought back a feel-good factor. The team were winning again.
“So – tapping into the new mood of optimism, somebody cunningly thought they’d get their new man in to enjoy a win over leaders Hearts – a night out in Europe, and then Clouseau could win a cup final. After all, he only had to beat St.Mirren in the final. Fans would love this, and Clouseau would be an instant hit.
“Wrong. In fact, it went horribly wrong in all three matches. Clouseau is now scrambling around talking absolute b______s, and Celtic are right back where they were after sacking Rodgers. It’s a shambles.”
Does Wilfried Nancy have the belief of the Celtic players?
O’Neill backed to return if Wilfried Nancy leaves
Yes, it’s not ideal, but Nancy can’t lose both of Celtic’s games this week – Dundee United and Aberdeen, and then expect to keep his job.
The noise will be unbearable, and Keys thinks it will eventually lead to Nancy leaving, and O’Neill being ‘brought back out of the emergency cabinet’, as he will meet up with the legendary coach for ‘a cup of tea’ this week.
“What was it the professionals at Celtic were told, I wonder?” added Keys. “The appointment makes no sense at all. Worse – the timing was horrendous.
“Why didn’t they just let O’Neill finish what he’d started? Clearly, the players loved him. He must’ve been a breath of fresh air. He spoke a simple language – common sense. Celtic were winning games, and O’Neill was on fire in his pre and post-match interviews. It must’ve been fun being a Celtic fan again.
“Not anymore. Doubtless, the people responsible will escape censure. They always do, but they’ve created a massive problem for themselves.
“So what next? Doubtless, Clouseau will stumble on for a few more games before O’Neill is brought back out of the emergency cabinet. I’m having a cup of tea with him this week. I’ll find out. Incredible. You weren’t wrong, Len.”
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