Sources: Celtic close in on ‘very risky’ appointment after top target’s snub
Celtic are edging closer to the appointment of Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy as they finally look set to land their next permanent boss.
Football Insider revealed on 15 November that Nancy is the clear front-runner for Celtic after assessing a number of options to replace Brendan Rodgers.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, appointing Nancy will be seen as a “very risky” move given his lack of experience in European football and the pressure that comes with managing Celtic.
The Hoops currently sit second in the Scottish Premiership, seven points behind league leaders Hearts, but the new boss will be expected to close that gap.
Martin O’Neill has enjoyed success during his interim spell, leading to calls for him to land the full-time job, but the Frenchman is now seen as the preferred option.
Wilfried Nancy set to land permanent Celtic job
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 10 November that Nancy is ready to step in at Celtic after his Columbus Crew side were eliminated from the MLS playoffs.
Having also targeted the likes of Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen, Nancy is seen as a left-field option, but is now expected to take over.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I think it’s fair to say that he’s probably the current strong favourite for the Celtic manager’s job, Wilfried Nancy.
“It would be something of a left-field appointment as there’s not much known about Wilfried Nancy on these shores especially.
“He’s never managed outside of America and has no experience of European football, but he has done a good job with Columbus Crew, winning the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup there.
“Any managerial appointment is always a gamble but bringing in Nancy, I think would be deemed a very risky move by Celtic.
“His availability is appealing to Celtic as well, because some of their other targets aren’t attainable.
“Ipswich are hoping to keep hold of Kieran McKenna, and Kjetil Knutsen is set to stay at Bodo/Glimt at least until the end of their Champions League campaign as well.
“Right now, Nancy is the clear front-runner.”
Celtic hit road blocks with Kieran McKenna and Kjetil Knutsen
Football Insider revealed on 7 November that Knutsen was a top target for Celtic and one of the leading candidates to take over permanently.
However, he would not have been willing to step away from Bodo/Glimt mid-way through their Champions League campaign, forcing the Hoops to assess alternatives.
There were suggestions of short-term arrangements as Football Insider revealed O’Neill could help Celtic land Knutsen by extending his interim spell, but nothing materialised.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 2 November that Celtic were exploring a deal for McKenna, but the compensation fee to get him out of Ipswich could be problematic.
Any move for the boss would have required Celtic to pay his “huge” fee, which is believed to be worth around £5million, to prise him away from Portman Road.
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