Celtic exit had more than meets the eye as EPL ace urged to take 'confidence boosting' Parkhead chance

Celtic’s decision to appoint, and ultimately sack, former head coach Wilfried Nancy just 33 days into tenure last season had more than meets the eye, according to one of his fellow countrymen.

Nancy, 49, endured a nightmare spell in charge at Parkhead last season after leaving his role at MLS side Columbus Crew. Winning just two of his right games in charge after replacing Brendan Rodgers, he was sacked by Celtic and replaced by Martin O’Neill, who went on to lead them to a fifth successive Scottish Premiership title.

Speaking in May, the Frenchman said his time at the club was a “beautiful experience” but admitted that “things could have been better” and that “life is about moments”, and former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre admits he was disappointed to see how things worked out for Nancy during his time in Glasgow.

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Wilfried Nancy lost six of his eight matches as manager of Celtic, before being sacked in January. | SNS Group

“I was aware of Wilfried Nancy’s work in MLS,” said Silvestre. “He managed to win a title over there. But he’s been making a name for himself abroad, never really working in France at any high level. I wasn’t surprised to see him get the Celtic job because you see lots of names associated with a job and you hope that the club have properly scouted these managers before they come in and take the job.

“It’s sad it didn’t work out for him there because Celtic are a huge club and many French players have been successful there, so it would have been nice to see a French manager also succeed. I’m sure there is more that we don’t know about what really happened.”

Meanwhile, struggling Republic of Ireland hitman Evan Ferguson has been urged to take a chance on a move to Celtic in order to regain his confidence in front of goal after a difficult last couple of years. The Brighton striker spent last season on loan to Italian giants AS Roma, but returned to the Seagulls this summer after scoring just three league goals, with a thigh injury ending his season prematurely in January.

His struggles in the Serie A mirrored that of his difficult stint on loan to West Ham United the previous season, and Ferguson has now been urged to consider a move to his boyhood club, Celtic, as he looks to kick-start a career that started so brightly when he scored 10 goals in his 2022/23 breakout season at the AMEX Stadium.

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has been urged to join Celtic after hitting a career crossroads. | Getty Images

“I watched Evan Ferguson play for Roma and he had a difficult season,” Silvestre told Grosvenor Sport. “Roma had a different start to the season and then Ferguson got injured. I think he needs a fresh start this summer. It’s been tough for him. It didn’t click for him at Roma. It didn’t go well there for him last season, let's put it that way.

“I think he has lost his confidence and as a striker, even though it’s important to score goals, you still need to create the opportunities, and keep believing in your strengths and abilities, and stick to the basics. There is a lot of pressure on strikers. Where to next for Evan Ferguson? Ligue 1 is no easier than Serie A. So a move to Celtic or am EFL Championship club? I think you have to believe in yourself and keep working and wait for the right opportunity.”