WILFRIED NANCY is reportedly first choice to take over as Celtic manager.
The Frenchman has come to the fore in the Great Guessing Game as candidates to become Brendan Rodgers’ full-time replacement come thick and fast.
Nancy, currently head coach at MLS outfit Columbus Crew, is an intriguing possibility and former Hoops goal hero Chris Sutton believes such an appointment will leave some fans concerned.
The one-time England international striker reckons the 48-year-old team chief is a rookie arriving from the club outside Europe.
Sutton warned Nancy might be out of his depth and stated: “Pep Guardiola could come in and he would find it difficult.
FRENCH FANCY…Celtic-linked Wilfried Nancy.
“There’s a lot of work required and that’s why being decisive and getting someone in now is so crucial. If it is to be Nancy, then it has to be sorted quickly to allow him to get down to business.
“My old boss Martin O’Neill has helped get things back on track, but he will have recognised the magnitude of the task after the game against Midtjylland. The limitations of the group were brutally exposed by a decent European team.
“Let’s be honest, they are a solid side who are doing very well in the Europa League. There’s a lot to like about them, but we’re not talking about Real Madrid here.
“Martin has done well to bring a bit of stability and raise the spirits. The performances against Falkirk and Kilmarnock were encouraging because there have been games Celtic have made heavy weather of at times this season.
“The League Cup victory against Rangers was huge. The first-half performance was good, the second, not so much, but they got the job done and it lifted the mood around the entire club.
“I’m not taking anything away from the nature of the victories, but it would be silly to go over the top.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “The same problems persists – and if anything there are more problems to come with the games coming thick and fast.
“That’s why a permanent solution has to be found now rather than remaining in a holding pattern.
“You can’t make excuses when you are at a big club like Celtic, but the injuries are a major problem.
ON THE RUN…Cameron Carter-Vickers takes on Ibrox duo Mo Diomande and Bojan Miovski in the 3-1 League Cup semi-final win – now the influential defender has been sidelined.
“Alastair Johnston has been a huge miss and he’s going to be out long term. Cameron Carter-Vickers even more so. I know some people were questioning his performances earlier in the campaign, but he’s been a massive part in the club’s success in recent years.
“He’s been a total rock at the back and his influence will be missed. Chuck in Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, plus youngster Callum Osmand and there’s plenty to deal with – and that’s before we even get to the problems that are lingering from the summer.
“It’s a lot to take on – for any manager.”
The media pundit added: “January is going to be absolutely vital.
“Next week’s AGM is going to be essential viewing, that’s for sure. If the manager is in place by then, the board will need to explain their thinking and reveal their plans for the transfer window.
“Because, make no mistake, January will determine the outcome of the title. It’s going to be an arms race between Celtic, Rangers and Hearts and whoever comes out on top will be best place to kick on and become champions.
“Celtic should have the advantage given their resources. But the same questions from the summer are hovering over the recruitment.
MAKING A POINT…Martin O’Neill has been in charge for the past four games.
“They can’t afford to hang around until the last minute again as there are too many big games over the period and it could leave them with too much ground to make up.
“Celtic can’t afford to sit on their hands and hope for the best. The new manager is the first piece of the jigsaw puzzle, but it’s also just the start.
“It also means Paul Tisdale will have a key part to play. The head of football operations is the one responsible for recruitment and the club have backed him amid the fall-out from Brendan Rodgers’s departure.
“The last few transfer windows have been horrendous, but we’ll now find out just how much that was down to him.
“Tisdale has pretty much been in the shadows since he arrived at the club, but the spotlight is well and truly on him now – and he has to deliver.
“If Nancy is the man then he will need support from the recruitment team as however things pan out in the short term won’t be on him.”
The champions return to Premiership action with the trip to face St Mirren in Paisley a week tonight with an unusual 8pm kick-off.
Making the encounter even more interesting is the fact the clubs lock horns again when the first piece of silverware comes up for grabs in the Premier Sports League Cup Final showpiece at Hampden on Sunday December 14.
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