CelticS incoming manager, Wilfried Nancy, may not fully impact the team until next season, according to former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill, creating a “no-lose” situation for the club as they navigate the remainder of the current campaign. O’Neill was speaking after Nancy’s appointment, following the departure of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham Hotspur.The forward, who scored 27 goals in 87 games for the club, expressed hope that Nancy can establish himself in Scotland and across Europe. However, O’Neill believes Nancy’s full influence won’t be realized until he’s had a full pre-season to implement his methods.
“I don’t really know a lot about him,” O’Neill admitted. “As I understand it, he has a bit of a relationship, with the lad Tisdale, you know, who’s Head of football Operations - obviously he’s convinced about his pedigree. I don’t know anything about him.”
He continued, “Hopefully a breath of fresh air, you know.He’s somebody that the punters don’t really know and if he can really hit the ground running and, breathe a bit of confidence and continue what Martin’s done there, in these last few weeks, then he can get himself a good start in the club between now and the end of the season.”
O’Neill acknowledged the growing competitiveness of the Scottish Premiership, noting hearts’ challenge and Rangers’ current third-place position. Despite this, he remains confident in Celtic’s ability to secure the league title.
“And then they can start to establish again being the dominant force as there’s there’s no doubt whatsoever about it that, you know, Hearts and even Rangers, I mean, what are Rangers sitting, third at the moment?” he said. “You know certainly Hearts have shown that they can challenge a little bit. I still think that Celtic will win the league, I think that between now and the end of the season, the new manager has a chance to establish himself and then really kick on the following season.”