Whenever Wilfried Nancy started it would still be a baptism of fire

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The Celtic Star

·4 December 2025

Whenever Wilfried Nancy started it would still be a baptism of fire

As Celtic grinded out yet another crucial three points in the title race last night, our nearest rivals Hearts and theRangers were yet again dropping points as Celtic moved to within goal difference of being back where they belong at he top of the Scottish Premiership…

Celtic at Tynecastle. Hearts v Celtic, 26 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Back on 27 October, when it was confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had left his role as manager of Celtic, not many of us could have foreseen us being in this position just over five weeks later.

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When Martin O’Neill came back to the club with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham in toe we were eight points adrift in the title race after going down meekly 3-1 to Hearts. Make no bones about it, we were on our knees.

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Struggles on the pitch were mixed with unrelenting vitriol being traded between fans and the board off the pitch. We were managerless, rudderless and the season looked for all intents and purposes as becoming an absolute catastrophe.

We wondered what was the plan?

Who could we get in at this juncture of the season to hit the ground running and put a spark back in the team? The return of the now jobless Postecoglou? Perhaps Kieran McKenna at Ipswich? Surely not Robbie Keane? It was most certainly worrying times. It’s not often you will hear me praise the board or Dermot Desmond but I’ll give them this, bringing back Martin O’Neill on an interim basis was a masterstroke.

Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney celebrate Celtic’s opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

As I’ve mentioned before, when I first heard the news I was shocked and also highly suspicious. I had a bad feeling this was a crafty move by the board to bring Martin in with Shaun Maloney, hope things improve then suddenly announce Maloney as the new manager going forward.

Cheap with a hint of nepotism, just the way the board like it. I was wrong. I also worried that an aging Martin O’Neill, out of management for so long now, perhaps wouldn’t be able to inspire the modern player the way he once did back in his pomp. Again I was wrong.

It couldn’t have worked out much better

The move to bring Martin O’Neill and his backroom staff honestly couldn’t have worked out much better. They were almost perfect apart from an away loss to a team who at the time were top of the Europa League. Big wins like the semi final against theRangers. Three points away to Hibs. Putting Feyenoord to the sword at De Kuip. Back to within goal difference of the Scottish Premiership summit.

3rd December 2025 Celtic Park, Scottish Premiership , Celtic versus Dundee. Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill waves to the crowd at the end of his last match in charge Photo IMAGO David Young

We owe a great deal of gratitude to each and every one of those men that stepped forward in our time of need. Martin O’Neill didn’t have to come back. His legacy at Celtic was secured. Many others in his position wouldn’t have even considered putting their legacy on the line like that, especially at the age of 73. He took less than 45 minutes to decide to risk it all. We will be forever grateful.

Shaun Maloney didn’t need to take up his role either. It was a risky move. He no doubts harbours dreams of one day becoming Celtic manager. If this had of went wrong Celtic fans would never entertain the idea of him one day getting the hot seat to himself.

They all stood up and put their reputations on the line

Even Mark Fotheringham didn’t need to answer the call. Fozzy has spent years building a reputation as a head coach or assistant coach in Germany and England. He didn’t need to take on a role as part of the backroom staff under O’Neill and Maloney. They all stood up and put their reputations on the line when the club they love needed them. We won’t forget that. Their efforts are much appreciated.

Mark Fotheringham at Easter Road, Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

I have mentioned in previous articles that I hoped that they would remain for another three games. Why rock the boat when we have such big games coming up? The decision has been made however and you know what, it’s maybe for the best.

Whenever Wilfried Nancy started it would still be a baptism of fire

Whether Wilfried Nancy starts today or in two weeks time, it’s still going to be a baptism of fire. Joining Celtic mid season in a campaign where we haven’t been at our best is always going to be tough, no matter what fixtures lie ahead.

I felt like if we let Martin and the boys lead us against Hearts, Roma and St Mirren in the cup final then it might make it easier for Nancy to take up the reigns thereafter but I suppose there is no time like the present.

If Nancy can navigate two wins against Hearts and St Mirren and put up a decent fight against Roma then he’ll be off to a flyer. The two domestic games are crucial. Roma I tend to care slightly less about as we are in a good position now in the Europa league and there are easier games remaining for us to pick up the points needed to get through to the knockout rounds.

It’s important that Nancy receives the full backing of the fans

It’s important that Nancy receives the full backing of the fans and feels like he’s fully wanted, no matter what problems we currently have with the board.

One final thing. If you read deeper and analyse the words of our players over these last few weeks, and if you have watched how they have interacted on the pitch at the end of matches with them, it’s clear as day that the players have a great relationship with both Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.

Wilfried Nancy head coach of the Columbus Crew looks on before the 2025 MLS Cup Playoff match against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field on November 02, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

I know that Nancy will be bringing in his own team and rightly so but if he wants a Scottish voice as part of that team then he can’t look past choosing one of this pair. I think the club, and Shaun himself, might be looking for him to go back to the extremely important role of pathways manager, which I think would be the right choice. If so then I hope Nancy will keep Fozzy as part of his set up, he has more than earned it.

Conall McGinty

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star