Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor the Celtic benchmarks – Nancy

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The Celtic Star

·27 décembre 2025

Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor the Celtic benchmarks – Nancy

Wilfried Nancy has stressed that character will be just as important as ability when Celtic look to strengthen their squad…

Celtic Unveil new manager Wilfried Nancy at Lennoxtown Training Centre on December 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With the January transfer window approaching, the Celtic boss is preparing for his first opportunity to reshape the group following a challenging opening period in the role.

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Nancy insists recruitment must focus on players capable of coping with the demands and scrutiny that come with representing Celtic, describing mental resilience as a crucial factor in any future arrivals.

The Hoops travel to Livingston this afternoon as they look to make it back-to-back victories in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since Martin O’Neill departed the club in early December.

Celtic v Falkirk 29.10.2025 Scottish Premiership. Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, Gavin Strachan and Mark Fotheringham Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

Speaking via Celtic’s official YouTube channel when questioned about what type of player the club will be identifying, he said: “We have a lot of ability in terms of the way we play. It is important that when you sign players, they need to have personality. This is a big club.”

“To play here is not always easy. It is so, so important to have players who can play here at a club like this.”

Callum McGregor celebrates. St Mirren v Celtic, 23 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Nancy highlighted Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor as benchmarks within the squad, citing their professionalism, leadership and understanding of what it takes to perform consistently at Celtic as qualities he wants reflected throughout the team.

21.12.2025 Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership. Kieran Tierney scores for Celtic 2-1. Photo IMAGO Kenny Ramsay

“Everybody knows Kieran,” he said. “I knew him before I came here. He’s an important player for us. There are different kinds of personalities. Kieran is not a vocal leader but shows on the pitch.”

“Callum also shows on the pitch but he’s a vocal leader too. We have other players like this. When I talk about personalities, it’s not only to be vocal, it’s to have the right attitude when it is difficult.”

“This means when we attack, can we keep showing ourselves for each other, can we still press, or can we defend like crazy in the moment? It’s more about the attitude for me. This is what I am looking for.”

Conor Spence

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