‘No instructions. A lack of information,’ BBC Pundit’s insight into Nancy shambles | OneFootball

Michael Stewart has offered insight into the internal developments surrounding Wilfried Nancy’s brief and disastrous spell in charge of Celtic…

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown Training Ground, 2 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Nancy – who had been appointed as the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers – was relieved of his duties after only 33 days at the helm, prompting the club to reappoint Martin O’Neill as interim manager for the second time this season on Monday night.

The former Hearts midfielder made the remarks during an appearance on BBC Radio Scotland, where he outlined what he claims to have learned about the circumstances behind the Frenchman’s swift departure from Celtic.

‘We all just assumed that there were these magnificent instructions’

Stewart said via BBC Radio Scotland: “Instinctively, we all just assumed that there were these magnificent instructions that were given. But I am led to believe that there were no instructions.

Wilfried Nancy. Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“There was a lack of information. When you couple it with the whole system being changed. When the manager has come in, and as I said to you, I view it as arrogant to come in and think that you can rip everything up, change it, play the league leaders two days later, and expect that you are going to get results.

Stewart added: “He then uses that as a defence as to why he should get more time because ‘I haven’t had enough time.’ If you didn’t have enough time, you then shouldn’t have done it in the first place.

‘We can’t give the players a complete out here’

“Yes, we can’t give the players a complete out here. But remember this is a squad that has dominated Scottish football in the large part for the last ten years. These are top-class players. There are quality players in there.”

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy and Auston Trusty of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025 in Livingston. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

“I don’t think it’s a message that has been too complicated or too high-level for them. I think it’s the exact opposite. [It was a] Shambles – they did not know what he [Nancy] wanted.”

Martin O’Neill’s aim is to salvage the season

Celtic now move on as Martin O’Neill tries to salvage the season with the primary objective to claw back the gap between the Champions and current leaders Hearts and go onto win the Scottish Premiership.

Bhoys Celtic

The work starts on Saturday at Celtic Park against Dundee United with the new Celtic manager looking to hold peace talks to broker a deal between the Board and the Green Brigade to allow the Celtic Ultras to take their place at matches for the rest of the season and beyond. Let’s hope he is successful in all aspects.

Conor Spence

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