If the Celtic fans are patient and let Nancy get: his system in place, they are in for a treat. When it clicks, it's like an art form

Ex-Hoops scout McGuinness tips Wilf to bring success

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

CELTIC fans may be feeling a tad down in the dumps after Martin O'Neill's second time love affair turned out to be 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, fresh after dragging Celts level on points with league leaders Hearts, into the Premier Sports Cup Final and back in the European mix.

But former Parkhead super scout Neil McGuinness got to work up close with the French gaffer and he's convinced the new man at the helm has what it takes to win over hearts and minds in Glasgow's east end.

McGuinness knows talent when he sees it. This is the guy who discovered Virgil van Dijk during his time as Lennoxtown spy, along with others such as Norwegian 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 two years ago next week.

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

However, if supporters give Nancy a chance, they could be in for something really special.

McGuinness 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’ just a tremendous man. That's even before you get to him being a proven elite manager.