Wilfried Nancy identifies his new Celtic Nagbe as he recalls failed transfer deal of 8 years ago

Callum McGregor has been a vital lieutenant for many a Celtic manager - and it will be no different for Wilfried Nancy.

The Frenchman has already identified the 32-year-old midfielder as a key man in his team and will be looking for the captain to replicate what his old skipper at previous club Columbus Crew did.

The tale of Darlington Nagbe, who retired at the end of this MLS season, is a quirky one. Back in 2017, he was on the brink of signing for Celtic, only for the deal to fall through. He remained in the States and became a lynchpin for Nancy’s successful Columbus team. The man Celtic signed instead? Ivorian flop Kouassi Eboue.

New Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy speaks to captain Callum McGregor at training. | SNS Group

“It's true,” exclaimed Nancy when the Nagbe transfer was put to him. “I haven't discussed that [with him], I forgot that. So I can tell you that there are many ex-players that I know who wanted to sign here ...”

Like McGregor, Nagbe is a central midfielder. And Nancy is a huge admirer of the former Scotland internationalist. He knows how vital he is for Celtic success.

“I have to empower my players,” said Nancy. “And the fact that Callum is already like that, is the same story as Darlington Nagbe, the captain that I had in Columbus.

“And I was joking with Callum. I said, ‘Darlington decided to retire at 35 years old this year. I hope that you will keep going!’ But maybe this is you.

“So my point is, obviously, yes, I discussed it with Callum. But I knew Callum before. When he played for Ange [Postecoglou], when he played for Brendan [Rodgers]. And I watched many games. So I know him already.

‘As a person he is outstanding’

“I didn't know the person. And as a person, he's outstanding. He’s a really good player. He's really, really good. And I have also a massive respect with players who have a part of belonging. And Callum, to stay in the club for many years like this, this is unbelievable.

“Because he can inspire people. When he's going to stop, I don't know when, he created a legacy. And he created memories. And also, the way he is as a person, it's so important as a coach, as a leader, I don't have to waste time to motivate or stimulate players.

“I have to do it sometimes. But we have Calum, but also we have other players who are able to do that. And this is really, really important.”

Nancy also has another ally in the camp. Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston played under the 48-year-old at CF Montreal and while his is currently out with a serious hamstring injury, he is another who can help the settling-in process.

Wilfried Nancy embraces his Columbus Crew skipper Darlington Nagbe. | Getty Images

“Yes, it's crazy,” smiled Nancy. “Because before coming here, he asked me what do I think? I said, ‘If you want, I can drive you over there. Because the club is spot on’. The fact that after many years now, we are here together, is a nice story. So now, I'm really excited to work again with Ali.

“And I remember I was teasing him yesterday, because I was presenting something, and I asked Ali, do you remember? The way you started, it was a bit difficult. He said, ‘Yeah, it was really difficult.’ But after that, he was so good. I like Ali as a player, obviously, but also as a person. He's also a really, really good leader for the team. And this desire to compete, to become better, is exceptional.”

Nancy accepts that many within the Celtic dressing room will be assessing him too. “Honestly, it has been really, really good,” he said of his early interactions with the players. “The connection ... they know me without knowing me. Because, again, they also do due diligence. And they knew what type of coach I am. They didn't know what type of leader I am.

“And yesterday, it was a day off, so I decided to do a meeting with them. Because I wanted to talk about the core values. I wanted to talk about the game model. And just to start today with new eyes. And honestly, the players that I have, they're spot on. The desire to compete is spot on.

“And for me, this is the most important. Try to become a better me, all the time. As a person, but also as a player. And this is what I found with my team.”

‘Winning games will allow me to buy time’

It all starts for Nancy against Hearts on Sunday, a top-of-the-table clash. “Listen, I'm not going to lie,” he said. “Winning games will allow me to buy time. This is the reality.

“But after that, I cannot control that. It happened in the past that we played and the team had almost zero expected goals. And they scored, but it was an own goal. So, again, that's why the result for me, yes, we want to have good results. But at the same time, this is more about the process.

“And our job is like that. And I have no problem with that. That's why this is not easy. But I don't think about this. Because this is part of my life. When you take a decision with my backpack and to go to Montreal and to go to Columbus and to come to Scotland, you have to be so brave to do it.

“And this is part of who I am. After that, I know that I'm going to be judged on results. But I'm fine with that.”