Chris Sutton sets the record straight on Celtic's 'gamble' on Wilfried Nancy

Celtic’s search for a new manager is seemingly nearing an end.

Almost three weeks on from the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy appears to be the man chosen to replace him.

The Columbus Crew boss isn’t well-known in Europe, and will have plenty to prove if he is to get the job. Martin O’Neill hasn’t disgraced himself in interim charge of the team.

But reports on Friday said that Dermot Desmond has his heart set on Nancy, who has pre-existing connections with the Hoops’ head of football operations, Paul Tisdale.

Chris Sutton has reacted to the news, with plenty of debate surrounding the appointment.

Chris Sutton on Celtic’s advanced pursuit of Wilfried Nancy

Nancy has delivered success at Columbus against the odds with a unique brand of possession-based football.

Whether he can translate this to a completely different environment at Celtic remains to be seen.

READ MORE: Tom Bogert shares what he’s been ‘told’ about Celtic and Wilfried Nancy’s latest update

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Desmond’s scathing attack on Rodgers, released shortly after his departure, was evidence that there are plenty of issues at Celtic that can’t simply be fixed by a new manager (or head coach).

For Sutton, in his column for the Daily Record, Nancy could be a smart appointment, or could be a disaster – but the environment around him will be crucial.

He said: “On the face of it, the Frenchman is a rookie and he would be coming in from a league outside Europe.

“But I’ve got two words for anyone ready to make quick assumptions – Ange Postecoglou. Now I know Nancy and Postecoglou and Nancy are very different managers, at different stages of their careers.

“Postecoglou had won titles in Australia and Japan as a club boss and led his nation at a World Cup as well. Nancy is a relative rookie in that regard, having been a main man in the dugout for less than five years.

“But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a very good head coach – or can’t be a success at Celtic. It just means that he needs to be given a chance. He also could do with time, but any new manager will know that’s not something readily available in these parts.

“It would be a gamble appointing someone who doesn’t know the European environment, let alone has little knowledge of the Scottish league. But there’s an element of risk around any boss coming in.

“This one would have more, but clearly Celtic have seen something in him. Nancy might be the next big thing and they are being smart being the ones getting in there first.

“He might be out of his depth. We don’t know. What we do now is no matter who gets the position – it’s a really tough job at the moment.

“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.

“The current situation will need a talented manager regardless.”

Celtic’s advanced talks with Wilfried Nancy

It is now being widely reported that Desmond has made Nancy his top target and is pushing to land him before Celtic’s next fixture against St Mirren.

The Hoops have reportedly been granted permission to speak to the Frenchman by Columbus, with a view to agreeing a deal and thrashing out compensation.

Despite rumoured interest in Kieran McKenna and Kjetil Knutsen, Nancy has been Desmond’s main target from day one and was contacted immediately after Rodgers’ departure.

It will never really be known if that pair were truly available to Celtic – what we do know is that the club are clearly sold on Nancy and his football.

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