Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy arrives prior to the Premier League match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on December 07, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Two tough matches for Wilfried Nancy this week
Something he’s going to find out the hard way if we don’t get a positive result on Thursday night against Roma, or indeed the more vital game that is next Sunday at Hampden as we take on St Mirren in a bid to win the first trophy of the season in the Premier Sports Cup Final. It’s a journey to Hampden started by Brendan Rodgers to get Martin O’Neill into the semi-final against theRangers and now it’s Wilfried Nancy’s task to win the match and lift the trophy.
Celtic will have played twice before a well rested St Mirren side take the field at the Cup Final against the current holders. The timing was terribly risky but Nancy had to get down to business at some time so we can’t dwell on that. He now has some time over the next few days to evaluate the performances – both individually and collectively – and look at the squad as it currently stands to see what can be done on Wednesday night against a technically gifted Roma side who defeated Midtjylland in their last Europa League match, while also winning at Ibrox earlier in their campaign.
Paulo Bernardo at Firhill. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Failure to win our next two fixtures, and Wilfried will soon understand that it is indeed all about the winning at Celtic Football Club. Roma will be tough but with the right attitude, approach and performance Celtic could get something from the match. Players like Paulo Bernardo and Kelechi Iheanacho should be in the new manager’s thoughts for this match.
Kelechi Iheanacho scores for Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock
On social media the @aboutCeltic accounted pointed out that “Celtic purchased three attackers during the summer transfer window for around £12M. We’re now in December and they’ve registered just one goal and one assist between the three of them in the Scottish Premiership.”
In response to this a Hearts supporter noted: “Meanwhile, Hearts front three have 26 goal involvements this season, costing £450k.”
Celtic purchased three attackers during the summer transfer window for around £12M.
We’re now in December & they’ve registered just 1 goal & 1 assist between the three of them in the Scottish Premiership. pic.twitter.com/38FrYpRoSO
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) December 7, 2025
On Thursday night Nancy should consider moving Maeda to the left wing, playing Iheanacho through the middle and keeping Yang on the right wing.
If he’s going four in the middle – he found out yesterday that Nygren doesn’t work playing alongside Hatate and he actually hinders the Japanese international’s game. Play Reo, Engels, McGregor and Bernardo.
With Schmeichel having Trusty, Scales and Tierney ahead of him.
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Would agree, that’s possibly the strongest available starting team, available to ourselves, with this new team set up imo?
Would also be the case for Sunday also, with the injury list as it currently is at present also.
Yet the ongoing issue remains, is how we can change a game with the subs available from the bench?
Even moreso if we find ourselves in a position of playing catch up football?
Goals from Seb, Kenny and balikwisha from the bench, will be hard to come by, from them 3 as attacking options on Thursday especially?
Only McCowan and nygren is possibly available, with both looking to operate within the same position imo?
Defensively only maybe Murray available within a back 3 available?
Still struggling to see how ralston or Donovan will or can fit into the team on Thursday?
Even at that, we have plenty of players that are going to have to develop adapt to the potential changes?
This list of players who have to develop and adapt, haven’t got the time factor on there side any longer, with the injury list as it is?
A rotational policy will have to be formed somehow, within the team set, if it’s going to remain the same, especially for the SPFL title race in operation.
An issue in effect, before the January window even opens for ourselves?
Plenty for Nancy and Tisdale to take into consideration.
Performance levels can usually get the desired results.
Likewise they will also drop if players can’t or not willing to take a managers instructions on board?
Yet with not even at the half stage of the season, results take preference over performance levels imo?
Even moreso if the confidence levels are at questionable standards, and will only grow with winning results imo?
I’ve always said we should play 3 at the back against ALL spfl teams, however it’s imperative to have the right players to play the system, we must recall Nawrocki and recruit in January.
I was impressed with his analysis after the game on what we’ll be working on, if that’s the best we’ve to beat we’ll have the league wrapped up and finished by the end of February, loved his calmness in all the madness around him, welcome to Celtic, Wilfried.
HH
Engels has had more than enough opportunities to prove himself and failed every time.
Time to cut him loose even if it means losing money.