Matt Le Tissier concerned by Celtic’s new manager ‘gamble’
Celtic are risking their Scottish Premiership title hopes as they close in on appointing Wilfried Nancy as their new permanent manager from Columbus Crew.
That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who has exclusively told Football Insider that he is unsure if the Frenchman will be a success but believes the Celtic board will be convinced that he is the man to lead them forward.
Martin O’Neill is currently in interim charge of Celtic after Brendan Rodgers resigned from his position as boss due to irreparable differences with the board.
Football Insider recently revealed that Kieran McKenna was interested in becoming Celtic’s new boss, while the board were believed to be contemplating offering O’Neill a permanent contract until the end of the season.
Reports emerged when Rodgers left that Wilfried Nancy was on Celtic’s managerial shortlist after a successful spell in charge of Columbus Crew, and he is now the favourite for the job with an appointment believed to be imminent.
Nancy is set to be the new Celtic boss
Nancy has been likened to Champions League-winning boss Luis Enrique for the attractive brand of football that he has played in the MLS.
He led Columbus to an MLS Cup triumph in 2023 and Leagues Cup in 2024, while also winning the league’s Coach of the Year award last year too.
Football Insider’s sources have revealed that Celtic are closing in on appointing Nancy despite his lack of any experience of managing in Europe.
He will need to be backed in the new year if the Hoops board want to help him oversee a successful maiden campaign in charge, with Hearts currently sat seven points clear at the top of the Premiership table.
Le Tissier trusts Celtic judgement as they roll the dice on Nancy
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Southampton and England striker Le Tissier insisted that Nancy’s lack of experience could be an issue but the Parkhead club’s chiefs will be convinced of his quality otherwise they wouldn’t be set to appoint him.
He said: “It’s always a bit of a gamble. I know he’s managed over in Canada in the MLS, but it’s a very, very different style of football over there.
“(Celtic) would have done their homework on him, taken a look at the style of play to see if that’s what they want going forward, and obviously, he’s had a degree of success over there as well.
“But it all comes down to how well he adapts to Scottish football and what’s required up there from a fan base that are expectant of success and pretty quick.
“You’ve got to deal with that as a manager, so I’m sure they’ve done their due diligence. If he does get the job, then very best of luck to him.”