‘DISASTROUS’: NO HIDING PLACE FOR NANCY

WILFRIED NANCY’S Celtic career is on the line – after just over two weeks in the job.

The under-fire manager, who has seen the champions lose his four games in charge, MUST guide the team to a win over Aberdeen at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon – or face the dire consequences.

The Hoops fans voiced their frustration and anger as the team stumbled to a miserable defeat against Dundee United at Tannadice in midweek after leading through a Daizen Maeda goal at the interval.

Nancy had no answer as Jim Goodwin’s outfit dictated play after the break and picked up the points following two quickfire strikes.

TANNADICE TORMENT…Wilfried Nancy looks down after a fourth successive loss.

Now, after also losing to Hearts, AS Roma and St Mirren in a dismal sequence, the former Columbus Crew head coach, who signed a two-and-a-half year contract when he arrived, steps into the spotlight once more for the visit of a Dons team thrashed 3-0 by Sparta in Prague in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

There will be no hiding place for Nancy in the east end of Glasgow as soon as the match gets underway at 3pm.

One-time Celtic goal hero Chris Sutton gave his forthright views when he admitted: “I genuinely can’t quite believe I’m saying it after just four matches in charge, but if Wilfried Nancy makes it five-in-a-row against Aberdeen his position will be untenable.

“That sounds slightly ridiculous and it gives me no pleasure in saying it.

“People outside Scotland can’t get their heads around it, but this is the reality in Glasgow. Celtic managers have to win games – simple as that.

“It’s been a disastrous start for the Frenchman and the problem has already got to a stage where you have to wonder how long it can go on.

“How much damage could it do to the season if action is not taken? People talk about getting his own signings in, but has Nancy shown enough that he can be trusted with the January transfer window?

“Will he even last until the window opens?

“We know he has his own style and formation, so do you let him attempt to buy in the players that suit – only for it to keep going wrong and then whoever is next is left with a team that is built to play one way?

“These are all things that have to be taken into consideration by the Celtic board. Then again, can they be trusted to make the right calls when they keep making poor ones?”

THE FACE OF DEFEAT…anguish is etched into Wilfried Nancy’s expression.

Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Listen, I’ve said it repeatedly. This is the chickens coming home to roost for Celtic and they are now paying the price for the woeful transfer window in the summer.

“This is a bang average squad lacking in quality and missing some very important players. You only have to look at the striker problems for starters.

“No harm to Johnny Kenny, as he’s a young lad who wasn’t expected to be in this position at this stage of his Celtic career, but he wouldn’t be leading the line for most of the other top six sides in the Premiership.

“And what does that say about Shin Yamada? You can maybe forgive him for being a little rusty due to a lack of game time, but the opportunities he missed at Tannadice only suggested he’s not going to cut it.

“Kelechi Iheanacho has been a top player, but it’s hardly a surprise that he’s not been able to stay fit given his lack of game time in the last year or so.”

The former England international striker added: “Nancy hasn’t helped himself – with his tactics or his comments. Changing so much so soon was either bold or stupid and he either misjudged the squad he was inheriting or the level of opposition.

“Even the other night, playing one recognised centre-back against a Dundee United team who are strong at set-pieces was bizarre – with Liam Scales, the best defender at the club, on the bench.

HAMPDEN HORROR SHOW…Wilfried Nancy yells instructions as Celtic crash in the Premier Sports League Cup Final to St Mirren.

“A lot of supporters have already made up their minds. There were chants for Martin O’Neill at Tannadice and also against Nancy.

“It’s not something that sits comfortable with me. It’s also something I’ve not heard before at Celtic, although I’m told Gordon Strachan was on the end of it a few years ago – and then he went on to win the league.

“Will Nancy do the same? I wouldn’t bet on it. In fact, the smart money right now would be on Celtic finishing THIRD.

“It’s the manager who is in the firing line, but if he doesn’t survive then how can Paul Tisdale?

“The head of football operations was at the heart of the recruitment mess in the summer and he’s the one who apparently thought it would be a good idea to parachute a manager with a distinct way of playing into a team that doesn’t have the players to accommodate it at the most crucial time of the season.

“There’s no way he can remain if Nancy is sent packing.”