Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has a rare opening at Hampden on Sunday, the kind that can flip a turbulent narrative in ninety minutes.
It has been a strange season. Board meltdowns, protests, a managerial exit, Martin O’Neill back in the dugout for a spell, and now a head coach many had not heard of two months ago.
The timing of Nancy’s arrival was chaotic. Celtic passed on the natural bedding-in window during November’s international break, then handed him Hearts, Roma, and a domestic final to start. Two defeats from two. The noise has been predictable.
Yet this final against St Mirren offers something different. A clean slate. A trophy on the line. A chance to show that the ideas are landing.
The head-to-head matters. St Mirren have already faced two Celtic managers this season, Brendan Rodgers and Martin O’Neill. Nancy will be the third. Across those two meetings Celtic won 1-0 twice but, by our count, only led for a combined eight minutes. Stephen Robinson’s side were stubborn, organised, and happy to drag the games into tight margins.
That is exactly why Sunday is an opportunity for Nancy. Not just to win, but to show a clearer picture of what his football looks like under pressure. Celtic have lacked rhythm in possession and incision in the final third.
Too often, control has not turned into chances. If the spacing is better between the lines, if the tempo of the first pass after a regain improves, and if wide players attack the byline rather than recycle, St Mirren will not enjoy the same comfort.
Callum McGregor’s late long-range winner was needed the last time these sides met. The captain’s influence will be vital again, both as the tempo-setter and as the voice that keeps the structure intact when St Mirren look to slow the contest. Set pieces will matter as well. Celtic have not maximised those moments this term. A cleaner delivery and braver runs can tilt a final that is likely to be attritional.
None of this excuses how Celtic reached this point. Nancy’s baptism of fire was avoidable. A smoother handover would have helped. But he has a stage now, and it is significant. A comfortable, authoritative win would say plenty about his capacity to push this group in the short term. It would also buy time for January, when recruitment must deliver ready starters, not projects.
Win a trophy and the narrative softens. Perform well while winning and it changes altogether. That is the opportunity in front of Wilfried Nancy at Hampden.
Celtic will win by 4 or more cause they dont media wont have it any other way ive never heard or read so much negativety for a manager manager is it that Celtic has dominited scottish football if it was any other sport it be racist