The Frenchman is the favourite to permanently replace Brendan Rodgers at Celtic Park

20:12, 13 Nov 2025Updated 20:29, 13 Nov 2025

(Image: Getty Images)

Columbus Crew GM Issa Tull has declared Wilfried Nancy is “locked in” for the 2026 Major League Soccer season amid links with Celtic.

The manager is understood to be high up on the Hoops’ wishlist of potential permanent bosses on the back of the bombshell departure of Brendan Rodgers.

Martin O’Neill is in the hots eat on an interim basis at the Hoops but Record Sport revealed that Celtic chiefs have been down south conducting interviews and a new man could be in place for the Premiership clash away to St Mirren on Saturday, November 22.

The Frenchman is under contract for the next MLS campaign after their current season ended in playoff defeat to Ohio rivals Cincinnati.

But while the 48-year-old could face a crucial crossroads in his career, Tull has attempted to end any speculation over a departure.

He said: “Wilfried is under contract. We’re in deep discussions about expanding the squad for next year, developing preseason plans, all that good stuff.”

Pressed on ruling out a departure during the off-season, he added: “What’s the future going to bring? … You never know.

“You have to be prepared for anything, but the way things are going, he’s locked in.”

Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller faced off against Nancy twice last season while working as Ronny Deila’s assistant at Atlanta United.

But having experienced football Stateside and clashed with his Columbus side, he reckons the frontrunner would be the wrong pick by the Parkhead hierarchy.

Asked if he would be pushing for Nancy to get the job, Miller told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard: “Personally, I wouldn’t be. I think it’s a big, big job.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy of the Columbus Crew(Image: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“For me, it’s a gamble. Every appointment is a gamble, that’s the thing. There is no guarantees.

“I have not looked into him the way I hope Celtic have. They have obviously deep-dived it, but I think it’s a big, big gamble to go to someone with that experience, from that league, to not just come to Celtic or Rangers, but in the current predicament they are at, I think it’s a big, big challenge.

“I just think coming into that environment to Glasgow – forget the Scottish league, to Glasgow – with Celtic and Rangers and now how Hearts have started, it’s a big, big ask at this moment in time for someone who has no experience of European football, Scottish football and has had, what, four seasons as manager? It’s a big ask.”

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