Celtic told Wilfried Nancy has Roberto De Zerbi ‘traits’ and his exciting tactics for his back three

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One thing is for sure, Wilfried Nancy joins Celtic with the mood around the place far better than when Brendan Rodgers left in October.

There has been no official announcement yet, but it’s only a matter of time before Nancy is holding up the famous green and white colours.

A lot has been said about the little time Nancy has to work with, because of Celtic’s packed schedule in Europe and on the domestic scene.

But in terms of the style the Frenchman is going to bring to Glasgow, it’s set to be pretty exciting.

• READ MORE: Nigel Reo-Coker tells Celtic Wilfried Nancy does something ‘gone out of the game’ no other manager does

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Celtic’s new manager, Wilfried Nancy, has Roberto De Zerbi-like traits

Nancy’s arrival was discussed on The Warm-Up, and Chris Sutton asked Steven Naismith for his insights into Nancy’s style after watching his team’s play.

Naismith stated that the Columbus Crew boss has the ‘type of traits’ you would see in a Roberto De Zerbi team, in terms of ‘baiting the team out’, and then playing through them.

Added to that, Naismith explained that when Nancy plays three centre-backs, he wants the right-sided and left-sided defenders to ‘attack’, and even get on the edge of the box and have shots.

Either way, entertainment is in order.

“He has mainly played a back three,” said Naismith.

“I think from watching his team, the type of traits he has in his team is what a Roberto De Zerbi had at Brighton, where you are trying to bait the team out and be good enough to play through.

“How often do Celtic get pressed high? That will be slightly different. I think, the general size of the club, the whole winning thing. You’ve seen it at Rangers; Russell Martin comes in with a clear style.

“But if you’re not winning. You aren’t getting any time. It’s going to be high risk. It will be interesting to see how he plays it. Short-term. Long-term.

“Centre-backs are on the edge of the box, having shots. As much as there is a structure and a formation. The players are all over the place. He wants them to attack. Get bodies forward. It goes back to having fullbacks as centre-halves, who are probably better on the ball.”

Martin O’Neill without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers

But before Nancy gets his era at Celtic going, Martin O’Neill will get a deserved send-off on Wednesday night against Dundee.

Naismith wanted to give O’Neill his flowers for how he has performed, despite Celtic having to deal with an injury crisis.

“Martin O’Neill has got the results with three massive players injured,” added Naismith. “Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Carter-Vickers, so that goes back to how well of a job he has done.”