Wilfried Nancy is seemingly leading the Celtic manager race.
The Columbus Crew boss is reportedly the front-runner to become permanent manager of the Hoops, with Martin O’Neill currently the interim manager.
O’Neill has won three out of four games since replacing Brendan Rodgers, but with an international break now upon us, he could have taken charge of his last on Sunday.
Paul Tisdale’s links to Nancy could tip the job in his favour, but other candidates such as Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen remain in the frame.
But for Simon Jordan, who is never easily impressed, there are question marks over the standard of competition that Nancy has been coaching at.
Simon Jordan on Celtic’s interest in Wilfried Nancy
Nancy guided the Ohio-based side to MLS glory in 2023, before winning the Leagues Cup the following year.
He was named MLS Coach of the year, and took Columbus to the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by upsetting several Mexican sides.
READ MORE: Three Wilfried Nancy quotes to introduce Celtic fans to surprise manager front-runner
How much is this worth? For Jordan, not a lot.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, he and Jim White were discussing the emergence of Nancy and Knutsen as the two current favourites for the job.
Jordan said: “I don’t know enough about either, but I’ve seen the standard of the MLS.
“I was out there last year, watching two of the top sides, Inter Miami against St Louis. And it was poor. It wasn’t at a level.
“We can make arguments and make light of the Scottish league, but Celtic are a giant. Whilst we can talk about Ange Postecoglou coming in and the backdrop of his career… I don’t know.
“I don’t know, it doesn’t fill me with a great deal of inspiration. What does it fill into Rod Stewart CBE? Maybe we can ask him and he can tell us.
Given that St Louis finished 24th in that season’s MLS, Jordan’s claim that they are a ‘top side’ in the division is… dubious.
Regardless, it’s hard to argue against Nancy being a risky appointment, given his lack of experience in an environment like Celtic.
Alternative options to Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
Kieran McKenna has been tipped for the role, and on the face of it, would be an exciting appointment for Celtic.
Not only has he had a transformational impact at Ipswich, but his years spent at Tottenham and Manchester United stand as big-club experience.
Craig Bellamy has also been widely endorsed, but his ongoing campaign to qualify for the World Cup with Wales is a major stumbling block there.
Nicky Hayen is thriving with Club Brugge in Europe, and would represent a coup if he could be lured by Celtic.
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