Celtic have seemingly made Wilfried Nancy their top priority.
With the international break providing an opportunity for talks to advance, Dermot Desmond looks set to make another change in the dugout.
This is with Martin O’Neill three weeks into his interim spell, which began when he rushed in to replace Brendan Rodgers after his resignation.
Nancy is an unknown quantity coming from Columbus Crew in MLS. He has only been a head coach for five seasons.
For Simon Jordan, Celtic are taking a risk that they don’t need to.
Simon Jordan on Celtic’s interest in Wilfried Nancy
TalkSPORT have previous for writing off a Celtic manager without knowing much about him.
Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist’s ridiculing of Ange Postecoglou aged like milk after he unexpectedly turned the tide at Celtic Park.
READ MORE: Wilfried Nancy discusses recruitment as Celtic target gives insight on his non-negotiables
But Jordan still can’t get over the suggestion that Celtic are replacing the experienced O’Neill with upcoming coach from MLS.
He said: “I can’t imagine there’s too many barriers to entry. The MLS season’s finished, so there’s no situations like what you had with Kevin Muscat at Rangers that he wants to finish a job that’s there.
“So if you fancy him, you go get him. There must be some degree of reservation. I think, with all due respect, the idea that he’s the first black manager to win the MLS is fantastic if you think that’s a blueprint that needs to be followed into Celtic.
“The fact of the matter is: can he manage? And if he can manage, can he translate what is a really poor standard.
“I don’t care how many times people say that it isn’t. I’ve been over there, I’ve watched the games. The MLS is poor. It’s a mile off.
“The jeopardy of the season lasts longer, because there’s more meaningful games, but the actual quality of football is miles, miles, miles off
“And if you think that’s going to translate, we’ve seen American managers come over here previously, how did they go? How did Jesse Marsch go? I know he was part of the RB project, but how did he go?
“How did Bob Bradley go when he was at Chelsea? I know these are bad examples, but you look and it and go: I think Celtic could do worse than staying with Martin.
“If I was at Celtic, I’d be looking now and working my way towards the new year and to the January window, looking around, making sure that every aspect of my appointment met every single expectation and every KPI that I wanted to put on it.
“But I wouldn’t be racing. What’s the point, you’ve got a guy in there! He’s doing all right. He’s winning games, what’s the hurry?”
Why are Celtic pursuing Wilfried Nancy?
Nancy is reputable in coaching circles, and has turned down offers from Europe in the past.
The job he has done at Columbus is certainly impressive. The bigger question is whether the Hoops think he can galvanise the players and supporters at Celtic.
This is certainly what he has achieved in the US, where his ‘impossible is an opinion’ quote ended up being printed on shirts and hats.
But as we all know, Glasgow is a different world. Only time will tell whether this appointment goes down as a misstep or a masterstroke.
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