Another crazy 24 hours at Celtic have concluded.
Let’s be honest, there haven’t been many seasons like this current one, because around every corner, something dramatic happens, and unfortunately for the wrong reasons.
On Wednesday night, Peter Lawwell stepped down as chairman, and then hours later, Wilfried Nancy lost his fourth successive match at Dundee United.
These are dark times for Celtic, and Stan Collymore passionately made it clear what needs to happen in the short and long-term future at the champions of Scotland.
What would your message be to Wilfried Nancy?
Stan Collymore calls for Wilfried Nancy to be sacked as Celtic manager
Collymore made it pretty clear on social media that Nancy needs to be sacked, even though he says it with ‘genuine sadness.’
Remember, Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic at Dundee United, and Collymore admitted that the Hoops could have scored ‘five’ goals.
But the former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest striker thinks Celtic, who celebrated the title at Tannadice last season, stated they now look like the ‘shadow’ of themselves.
“Celtic. Have watched with a lot of interest the ongoing drama at Paradise,” wrote Collymore.
“Firstly, I played for MON, and he ( Robbo, Seamus, Waller) reignited my love of football at Leicester, but I’ll not be biased in my opinions on him out of loyalty. It’s a classic case of ” this is all too f___ing easy,” which happens at all dominant clubs because there literally is no or almost no tension to work against.
“For the amount of money taken in due to success (and main historical rivals’ downfall due to HMRC issues), there should have been even more diligence done to find recruitment and staff who were known to be ruthless.
“Instead an air of “Ange worked, wild card, so Wilf will too” alongside almost criminally negligent recruitment meant that, instead of building another 5-year dynasty, a team that even tonight (against Dundee United) could have been five to the good at half time, is now a shadow of themselves.
“Solution? Wilf has to go. I say that with a genuine sadness and wouldn’t be surprised if he pops up in five years successful elsewhere.
“But Celtic Football Club is about winning, then winning with style, then a swagger on top. Four games losing is accepted at almost every club, bar a handful, and Celtic is one. So Wilf goes.”
How many more games are you going to give Wilfried Nancy?
What next for Celtic if they sack Nancy?
If Nancy is sacked, and let’s be honest, it’s looking very likely now, Collymore wants Martin O’Neill back in the dugout.
However, the Celtic-mad pundit only wants it ‘until the end of the season’, and ‘not beyond that.’
Collymore had pops at the ‘guilty as charged’ Celtic board, but he shared what the club needs to do in the long-term to ‘reassert a winning DNA.’
“MON? As a comforting rescue remedy until the end of the season, yes, but not beyond that,” added Collymore.
“Why? Because the club needs to find someone for 3-5 years who’s going to reassert a winning DNA, so any temporary manager is only delaying that absolutely necessary appointment, freshness and internal grabbing the club by the nuts.
“Martin can start a fire, but he’s not going to keep it going until he’s 76-77. All great Empires end. Usually down to laziness, decadence, not being accountable and losing the ruthlessness that got that success.
“The Celtic board are guilty as charged, just like Liverpool’s early 90’s, Man United’s last decade. But…. Clubs of that size can turn around and dominate again very quickly.
“Lawwell is a sacrificial lamb aimed to quell dissent, when the reality is there are probably half a dozen in the building from admin to sporting department who need to move on for younger, hungrier and proven ruthless winners. Martin is capable enough, respected enough (across all Scottish media) to navigate through choppy waters.
“But someone higher up has to do the same and set the tone by not rewarding average. Move players in who aren’t good enough today, regardless of status and build again with the next 5 years in mind.
“Or muddle through, take zero responsibility on and off the pitch and allow a glimmer of light and hope to other clubs, especially clubs who’ll be emboldened by the perceived circus that has overtaken their own.
“Wilf gone tonight. MON, steady the ship. A genuine appointment that raises eyebrows and expectations. Board level changes, thank yous and goodbyes. Beloved but no longer good enough players moved on with thanks. That’s what great, big, dominant and ruthless clubs do.”
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