Wilfried Nancy needs Celtic breathing space as manager wrestles with big team decision

Last Friday, Nancy was presented to the media as Celtic’s new boss. Wide, beaming stare, a big infectious smile, the 48-year-old Frenchman exuded energy and excitement. But a week is a long time in football. Especially when you lose. Twice.

The bags were noticeable under Nancy’s eyes this Friday afternoon as he wearily dissected a 3-0 Europa League humbling by Roma at Celtic Park the previous night. That reversal came hot on the heels of a 2-1 defeat by Premiership leaders Hearts last Sunday. In between, the Frenchman has been criticised for the use of tactics boards and wearing green shoes. And perhaps more importantly, his team’s style of play.

Celtic managers usually hit the ground running but things are different for Nancy. Battling jet lag and dealing with the Scottish game for the first time, he is also inheriting a squad at a demanding point of the season. December is a gruelling month in the football industry with fixtures every three-to-four days. There is little time to teach.

Some players claim they like the relentlessness, as it is better than training. Nancy would surely disagree. He is desperate for some breathing space so he can properly coach his methods. The 48-year-old is wedded to his 3-4-3 formation and his attack-minded, high-tempo style of play. It is all very different to life under predecessors Martin O’Neill and Brendan Rodgers.

All of this could be used as mitigating circumstances to give Nancy time - but you don’t get that in Glasgow. The recent procession of Rangers managers across the city will tell you that. For the new Celtic boss, Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren is simply a must-win affair, even at this embryonic stage of his tenure.

Some supporters have already cast aspersions on Nancy. Silverware should be enough to change the early narrative. For all the perils of losing to St Mirren, the flip side is the boost it could give the manager and his players.

Nancy’s cup final record

Nancy experienced cup finals with his former club Columbus Crew. He won the MLS Cup against Los Angeles in 2023 but lost the CONCACAF Champions Cup to Mexican side Pachuca at altitude in 2024. This is not his first rodeo.

"A final is not easy to play, because this is do or die,” explained Nancy. “Sometimes what I've learned is we cannot think too much about the future. We have to stay in the game, we have to stay present, control what you can control with each play that we do.

"If we start to think about the future, we can lose the perspective on playing in the present moment, so the next pass, the next play, how we want to attack and so on to defend.

"At the end of the day, it's all about personality. Each player wants to do everything that it takes to win this final. Sometimes you have to find the balance between those emotions and to stay calm and composed, so this is what I've learned."

It was put to Nancy that in his two Celtic matches to date, calmness and composure have been lacking. "At certain moments, no,” he admitted. “In the last two games, this is something I've discussed with them. We have a tendency to rush instead of playing fast. We have more time that we think in the last pass and sometimes we rush the pass.

"If we have a bit more composure, we should be able to play a big pass, a big assist. These are the kind of nuances I try to help my players understand. Yes, we have to play quick, we have to play fast, but try to find the balance to avoid rushing. Because when we rush, we don't exploit the advantage that we had."

Celtic arrive into this fixture with pressure. They are the favourites to beat a St Mirren side that have run them close twice this term. Recently in Paisley, Callum McGregor scored the winner with the last kick of the game. On the opening day of the season, Luke McCowan struck late to break their resistance. Another 1-0 would do for Nancy, who claims he does not feel the burden of being expected to win.

"For me, I don't have this way in my mind,” he said. “I am really cold with that. I don't know if it comes with my background, the way I grew up and so on. Let's compete. Now, if we talk about the season, it's all about consistency. But one game? If we play together, are you going to say, 'I'm sure that I'm going to lose?' because I don't think that you're going to think like this, you're going to try to compete. That's why I am like this and I think like this."

Iheanacho could lead Celtic line

Nancy also has to think about team selection. He is carrying injuries and jaded players, many of whom he is not yet able to properly critique on what they can bring to his team. A big calls looms on striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who impressed in the second half against Roma.

The Nigerian is only just back from a hamstring injury but could take his place as Celtic’s No 9. Nancy is not overly blessed with options.

"I want to see every player because I want to see them in this kind of environment,” added Nancy. "He did well, he did what he likes to do and to be honest, I had in my plan to start him, but physically he didn't play for a long time.”

Not everything is going to plan for Nancy right now - that’s why there would be no better time than Sunday at Hampden to make his cup half full again.