Stefan Borson drops Celtic spending power update as Wilfried Nancy deal edges closer
Celtic have pulled closer to Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership table as they look to retain the title this season.
Celtic secured a last-gasp victory over St Mirren on Saturday (22 November), taking them within four points of league leaders Hearts with a game in hand.
The Hoops are looking to appoint a permanent manager, with Martin O’Neill stepping in on a temporary basis over the past few weeks following Brendan Rodgers’s exit.
Wilfried Nancy is the frontrunner to land the Celtic job following his work at Columbus Crew, where he’s been in charge for the past three years.
Football Insider revealed on 21 November Celtic can appoint Nancy once they agree a compensation package with Columbus Crew.
Celtic transfer verdict shared ahead of January window
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Celtic could be “prudent” in the January transfer window even if they appoint Nancy.
Celtic’s board were slammed for failing to back Rodgers over the summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Hoops’ spending power ahead of January, Borson said: “It’s just very hard to know who is prepared to take a bit of a gamble in January. You’ve got to measure the impact that those players can have. Often these deals happen at the end of January.
“You’re talking about having 15 games left. The deals are more expensive. There’s little impact from a PSR perspective because by the time you break down the transaction, it’s only half a season of amortisation and half a season of wages, so you can be a little bit more relaxed about the spending.
“But it’s just what’s the clear benefit of doing it? Where can you find value? What’s the purpose? What is it trying to make you do?”
Nancy has been likened to Champions League-winning boss Luis Enrique for the attractive brand of football he’s played in the MLS.
Celtic have capacity to agree new signings
Borson admitted Celtic have the finances to back Nancy in January, but their anticipated approach to the window remains unclear.
“I guess in Celtic’s position, they’re going to be close enough to having to bolster the team for the league title in the second half, so maybe they would do it,” said Borson.
“I think they’ve got some capacity. They don’t have the PSR issue, but there’s this capacity generally because the club has been relatively well run. It’s hard to say. I think they’ll probably be pretty prudent when it comes down to it.”
Celtic’s next game sees them take on Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday (27 November), with the Glasgow side currently 27th in the competition’s league phase.
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