If the Celtic fans are patient and allow Nancy to get: his system in place, they’re in for a treat. When it clicks, it’s an art form

New Hoops boss tipped to shine but former club scout says he'll need time to put his stamp on it

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

CELTIC fans might be feeling a tad down in the dumps after Martin O'Neil's second time love affair that turned out short and sweet.

But Hoops fans should get ready to fall head over heels with the new man in charge.

Wilfried Nancy has a hard act to follow as he picks up the reins from the club legend (right), fresh after dragging struggling Celts back to the top of the Premiership, into the Premier Sports Cup final and back in the mix in Europe.

But former Parkhead scout Neil McGuinness got to work up close with the Frenchman and he’s convinced the new gaffer has what it takes to win over hearts and minds in Glasgow's East End. McGuinnes is a man who knows talent when he sees it. This is the guy who discovered Celtic ace Virgil van Dijk during his time as Lennoxtown spy - along with several others such as Stefan Johansen - and he immediately had Nancy pegged as a star on the rise.

The pair worked together at Columbus Crew as the Ohio outfit disrupted the American powerhouses to claim the MLS Cup in 2023.

McGuinness — who is now technical director at Los Angeles FC - also knows Celtic inside out — and he is well aware there are some pretty big shoes to fill.

But if Celtic supporters give Nancy a chance they could be in for something really special.

McGuiness said: "I know how big a character Martin is at Celtic. I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions and he is just a tremendous man, and that's even before you get to him being a proven elite manager.

"You can just feel the warmth from him when talking to him - and I find alot of similarities with Wilfried.