It’s easy to think that Wilfried Nancy has arrived at Celtic with no pre-held knowledge of Celtic or Scottish football.
But, in Nancy’s words, it’s a small world. When Ange Postecoglou was questioned on his knowledge of Hearts early in his Celtic days, he chuckled and said he hadn’t came form ‘a different planet’.
Nancy has had plenty of time to learn everything he has to, but his interviews so far make it clear that he was no stranger to Celtic.
His conversations with Martin O’Neill will have made sure of that. He has a tough act to follow after the interim boss won seven of his eight matches.
Nancy will be hoping to keep that momentum going as he gears up for Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Hearts – but he’s already been hearing about a certain other fixture.
Wilfried Nancy on Celtic due diligence
Nancy will have a fair sample of life as a Celtic manager by his tenth day in the job.
That’s because he has a glamour Europa League clash with Roma and a Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren coming up as well.
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But before long, he’ll be facing Danny Rohl’s struggling Rangers in his first Glasgow Derby.
He spoke about his discussions on the Glasgow Derby and the people he’s been speaking to, in the embargoed section of his first press conference.
Nancy said: “This is a small world. Everybody knows everybody.
“Obviously, I did my due diligence so I could understand the club and understand if I wanted to come here. Yes, I discussed the approach with many friends and they told me good things.
“But I am passionate about the game. I’ve been following this club for many years. I was a big fan of Larsson. When Martin started, I was also following the club.
“When Ange came, I watched many games because of the way he was playing. After that, I know Brendan from what he did.
“Victor Wanyama was one of our players [at Montreal] for two years. So I know the club. This is easy to know the club, but when you are here, it’s not the same. So, yes, I did my due diligence and I know where I put my feet.”
“I am the friend of many ex-players who played here at Parkhead, big players like Thierry Henry, like Peter Luccin (former PSG midfielder). I can name you many other players.
“They told me that it’s the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic. They said when you play in the stadium of Celtic it is in the top three in the world. They told me that. Me?
“I didn’t play in the First Division. But if they tell me that, it’s because they know. Now, when you add Rangers in to that you can tell it’s going to be massive. But I’m eager to discover that.
“This is why I accepted the challenge here. I’m not saying that I ever faced that as a coach. But now I will as a coach. So it’s going to be new. I’m eager to see that.”
How are your first impressions of Wilfried Nancy?
December for Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
There’s no respite after Nancy’s first three games – he goes straight into a hectic festive period.
The Hoops face Dundee United on a Wednesday night at Tannadice just three days on from the final. After that, it’s another Sunday fixture at home to Aberdeen.
Unlike recent seasons, Celtic have no fixtures on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day this year – instead, it’s Livingston away on the 27th.
The festive period concludes with a quick-fire double against high-flying Motherwell, and Nancy’s first derby at home to fourth-placed Rangers.
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