It’s been just seven days since Wilfried Nancy took charge of Celtic, and the new manager is already feeling the full weight of the job, enough so that even his own mum has voiced her concerns.
Nancy will lead the Hoops into a sold-out Parkhead tonight as Celtic face Roma in a crucial Europa League clash.
It’s the first full house in the competition this season and comes with plenty on the line.
Celtic still need at least four points from their final three league matches to have a chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.
After a 2-1 defeat to Hearts in his first game in charge, Nancy knows the pressure is already mounting. But it’s not just fans and pundits paying attention, his family have been watching closely too.
“My mum told me I had bags under my eyes!” Nancy revealed to the Herald. “I told her I just came in, had jet lag and was trying to anticipate everything. Again, this is part of our job. I’m excited by it and I try to stay at peace with myself and open my eyes to understand the culture. My mum must have read a lot of things because she thinks I can’t take care of myself! Listen, my family know this is part of the job.”
It’s a small insight into the personal toll of managing a club the size of Celtic, particularly under the current spotlight.
Nancy has shown calm in the face of scrutiny so far, but with European football on the line and fans demanding a response, the intensity is unlikely to let up anytime soon bags or no bags.
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One Response
The new manager is settling in and I thought he did fine in the game against the Edinburgh side. My main wee message to Wilfried is – don’t let the opposition manager see what you are saying with the tactics board.