John Barnes doubts Wilfried Nancy is right fit for Celtic j

Former Celtic manager John Barnes has given his thoughts on Wilfried Nancy possibly becoming next Hoops boss…

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John Barnes and Kenny Dalglish (Celtic) – Photo Randmotiv Personen

Barnes – whose tenure at Celtic during the 1999–2000 season was a turbulent one – has expressed doubts about the Columbus Crew manager being the right fit for Celtic and hasn’t hidden his concerns.

Barnes immediately acknowledged that Nancy was not someone he previously knew of and argued that Celtic should be targeting a more high-profile coach.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 8: Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy celebrates the Jacen Russell-Rowe #19 of Columbus Crew goal against FC Cincinnati during the MLS Playoff match at TQL Stadium on November 8, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images)

Speaking via No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Barnes said: “I’ve not heard of him [Wilfried Nancy]. It’s going to be difficult. Once upon a time, at Celtic and Rangers, you needed a big-name manager, and I still feel you do, because it feels that’s what they should have.”

“But the reality is, from a financial situation, they’re looking for a manager now who can know the second-tier players or work with players who maybe aren’t the best players, if you like, rather than a manager with a big name who’s going to be able to attract these huge players, because they can’t attract huge players anymore.”

“Maybe that’s why they’re looking at him. As much as people will say it’s a step back, I suppose when Ange [Postecoglou] went to Celtic, not many people knew Ange, so maybe they’re going down that route again.”

Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Columbus Crew SC, arrives prior to the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

As reports from Scotland and across the Atlantic indicate that talks for Nancy are advancing, the spotlight on Celtic’s hierarchy to get this deal over the line as soon as possible is intensifying.

This is not a time to be messing around with negotiations. The Celtic board must remember that the team play across three different competitions in December and a manager coming in just now will be facing tough matches domestically and in Europe almost immediately.

Brendan Rodgers departed the club nearly a month ago now and the club have had plenty of time to appoint a manager or head coach. There are no excuses now.

Kieran Tierney celebrates with Steve Clarke during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Meanwhile Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will take training today and count the players in who are coming back from international duty including of course Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston and Kasper Schmeichel who all had an eventful night at Hampden on Tuesday as Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 to reach the World Cup Finals or the first time since 1998 with KT scoring the decisive goal past Kasper.

Conor Spence