Chris Sutton believes Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic departure was “inevitable” following their defeat to Rangers, however insists the issues on the membership run a lot deeper.
Nancy has been dismissed after dropping six of his eight video games in cost, with Saturday’s Previous Agency collapse the ultimate straw, and the membership have reappointed Martin O’Neill till the tip of the season on an interim foundation.
The Frenchman, who signed a two-and-a-half yr deal, lasted simply 33 days after the membership’s type slumped dramatically after they’d received seven of their eight video games underneath O’Neill.
Rangers at the moment are stage with Celtic within the Scottish Premiership, with leaders Hearts six factors forward, however Sutton believes the choice to half methods with Nancy has boosted their probabilities of successful a fifth straight title.
“Keeping Nancy in position would have been too much of a risk. He was a stickler, set in his ways,” the previous Hoops striker instructed Sky Sports activities Information.
“It’s kind of just like the Ruben Amorim scenario at Manchester United however over a shorter interval.
Celtic performed a a lot greater defensive position underneath Wilfried Nancy, with the wing-backs among the many furthest ahead
“He was fixated on altering Celtic’s model, transferring to a 3-4-3, taking part in one specific manner. He simply wasn’t adaptable and for Celtic to lose six and ship as many targets as they did – it was kamikaze stuff from Nancy.
“The game before Rangers, the Motherwell loss, the manner of the loss was humiliating.
“Lots of Celtic followers thought at that second it was time for Nancy to go. He took cost of the Rangers recreation and Celtic performed properly, however a theme of performances has been to play properly in patches. They confirmed an excessive amount of vulnerability.
“There was an inevitability that Nancy would head out the door. It’s the right decision; Celtic have to give themselves the best chance of winning the title.”
Head of Soccer Operations Paul Tisdale, who performed an enormous half in bringing Nancy to Celtic from Columbus Crew, has additionally left the membership.
“Nobody knows what Paul Tisdale was doing at the club. Dr Do-little,” the previous Celtic striker added.
“He had a large say in bringing Nancy in, and if he had a hand in recruitment over the summer that was also poor. It’s the right decision for him to part ways.
Paul Tisdale was appointed Celtic’s head of soccer operations in October 2024
“Now Celtic are under pressure because this squad needs strengthening in January and quickly.
“The gamers should take their share of accountability. Poor type has not simply been underneath Nancy; there have been points firstly of the season.
“Brendan Rodgers wanted more quality brought to the club, that didn’t happen. It was an unsavoury end.”
“Things brightened up a bit under Martin O’Neill, he did a brilliant job, but the team weren’t playing particularly well.
“Nancy got here in and tore every part up, however the issues do run a lot deeper than Nancy.”
Nancy’s coaches Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen and Maxime Chalier have also left, with O’Neill in charge for Saturday’s league game against Dundee United alongside Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.
Speaking before O’Neill was reappointed, Sutton said: “Quick time period, the most secure transfer could be to deliver Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney again.
“It’s just about winning games now. Martin did brilliantly in a short space of time.
“Realizing Martin like I do, he is aware of the membership want so as to add in January. That is probably the most smart choice.”
May Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney (proper) take interim cost for a second time this season?
O’Neill, 73, returned to the Celtic dugout in October, 20 years on from his first spell as Parkhead boss, after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation.
They received all 4 of their Premiership video games underneath the Northern Irishman and likewise beat Rangers to succeed in the League Cup closing, which Nancy’s aspect misplaced to St Mirren.
Celtic’s upcoming fixtures
- Dundee Utd (H) – Scottish Premiership – January 10
- Falkirk (A) – Scottish Premiership – January 14
- Auchinleck Talbot (A) – Scottish Cup – January 18
- Bologna (A) – Europa League – January 22
- Hearts (A) – Scottish Premiership – January 25 dwell on Sky Sports activities
