“I only have 13 practices with my team, usually we have four weeks of preseason.” That’s what Wilfried Nancy said on Friday, before the weekend’s capitulation at Celtic Park. He added, “It’s totally normal that my players need a bit of time, it’s totally normal that my players could be confused at certain moments.”
The Gods of XG back up Wilfried’s belief that Celtic have been unfortunate in not picking up more points than they did. The defeat to Hearts falls into that category, but the second half turnaround by Dundee United and Newco, and entirely inept performances against St Mirren and Motherwell, deserved nothing better.
“New players, a bit of time” – elements the manager suggests will help. True. Spending many millions on players to beat St Mirren and Motherwell will almost certainly work. This is Scottish football. Read the Uefa league tables, if you want to check the standard. Our player stock is already vastly superior to anything most of our opponents can acquire, adding even more £1m salaried pros will inevitably help.
We can agree that without a preseason to practice, it is normal that players look as confused as they appear to be. The concern many have expressed, is why, when the required practice time was not available, or the squad not suitable, did we cast off in this direction?
My suspicion is, Wilfried looked at our history of winning practically everything, and perhaps the Uefa tables, and thought, “We’ve got this”. He surely did not expect Motherwell’s new manager to win so comfortably at home to Celtic.
Five weeks into the job, it is too late for the manager to revert to the system Martin O’Neill used to get Celtic consistently over the line (and little more). Wilfried’s reputation has been staked on this being the correct path. He will continue until it works or he is relieved of his duties. To be fair to Wilfried, this is probably the only way he knows to win, so he has no choice.
You and I have no experience of defeats arriving at this rate, so the impact is bound to be profound. That we are here due to a tactical change which has not had the required practice, points to poor decision making.
At that presser on Friday, Wilfried said, “Do your job”. The lad is bold, if nothing else. Having the best plan in the world is worth nothing if you allow the foundations to burn around you. It is time to get the job done, Wilfried.
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Get Kyogo on loan till end of the season at least,not happening for him since he left,the fans need a lift here
Tom
I would take MON back in a heartbeat, but wonder if the intensity of a dog fight to May, with the MIBs out to shaft us, might be too much for him.
Anyway, right now I’d accept the appointment of the steward who took my bottle of Irn Bru on the way into the Roma game, Main thing is that the charlatan has gone, both of them in fact.
Is the coffee shop on the King’s Road open today?
New winger debate – Ta Bi or not Ta Bi?
[I’m in a good mood tonight, sorry…]
SSN saying we looking for an interim manager, that could be Martinez after the World Cup, along with Maloney again
MON back.
Bet the players will be happier heading to training tomorrow, especially Calmac.
MON TILL END OF THE SEASON OFFICIAL
New winger debate – Ta Bi or not Ta Bi?
I wouldn’t mind a wee ginger 😜😂
https://youtu.be/6EWOgyBs68k?si=ToiPZBh7V0nwakCt
Here it is
Sky say we have said it is MoN until end of season
Makes sense to me
Martin back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EWOgyBs68k
Delighted that MON is back .
He is a great judge of a player .
TT
THE EXILED TIM on 5th January 2026 6:11 pm
https://celtsarehere.com/celtic-fc-peter-lawwell-new-role/
They need him for his influence at UEFA, never believed he was gone, unlike the GB who IMO will not be back, the suits are terrified of the Pro Palestine within the support, the Israeli lobby has tentacles longer than the goat mob believe me.
Absolutely, as I said yesterday, when Peter resigned due to threats against him which almost cost the lives of his family for hunting fly by nights who allegedly wanted to do business with the youth of the club he was asked to stay on and given the NED role of Chaitrman, well as we all know the bonkle bigot no longer has his coveted role with UEFA and FFP has been replaced by FSR which ensures that clubs like 1872 can no longer carry on with their financial shenanigans.
As for the zionist’s influence, don’t have far to look there as it’s just down the road fae me.
There’s a buzz about the place
In out in out
Shake it all about
Do the hoki coki and turn around
That’s what it’s all about
Happy with MON.
Trust Wilf will do a proper handover with MON
Booooooooom
Welcome back Martin
1st question to any prospective manager……
Do you prefer playing 3 4 3 formation?
And Tisdale speaks to no-one re his transfer targets
Great news about Martin O’Neil being our manager for the rest of the season. Hope he appoints Shaun and Fortheringham.
Has he signed a striker yet?
Oh Yes.Peter Grant saying he would like 18 months.Summerwill do Martin,but get us a striker.If you stick with Kenny.h,mmm.
You’re once, twice, three times a Celtic manager and we love you.
LionelRitchieCSC
Mon , Shaun and fotheringham till end of season
Stevie woods also still in place.
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2026/january/05/martin-o-neill–i-m-very-pleased-and-privileged-to-be-back-at-the-football-club/
What’s french for deja vu ?
THE BADA BING on 5TH JANUARY 2026 7:01 PM
Get Kyogo on loan till end of the season at least,not happening for him since he left,the fans need a lift here
——-
Agree 100% , even if he turns out to be not quite the player he was at his peak with us he’d still be miles better than JK or SY , or even Iheanacho, albeit a very different type of striker from him.
however a catastrophic fuk up by the board, we coudv been top of league with league cup in cabinet
welcome MON
THEBHOYFROMU.N.C.L.E
What’s french for deja vu ?
——————————-
👏 Bon mot
MON going 3-5-2?
Sinisalo
Donovan*, Trusty, Scales
Jota^, Bernardo, McGregor, McCowan, Maeda
Braga°, Bowie
* Defensive play prioritised
^ When match fit again
° Bonus: Also weakens Hearts’ attack
P.S. CCV replaces Donovan when he’s back fit.
Great title race ahead , huns and wee huns just went aaaah f….
Fantastic news re MO’N and the coaching team. Will lift the players and the fans.
Get shot of Nicholson now and the majority of the fans will be satisfied that due accountability for this season’s debacle has been served.
P.P.S. Note that in this setup the defenders actually defend first and foremost!
Gregg Wallace as part of the back room staff?…we’re cooking now….