Even the return of Martin O’Neill is unlikely to placate supporters frustrated by poor performances, a lack of investment, and chaos in the boardroom
A
ny club confirming the end of an error after eight games owes an apology to their supporters. In Celtic’s case, even the admission of an all-time blunder in hiring Wilfried Nancy would be unlikely to placate the masses. Remorse has not been forthcoming anyway. As Martin O’Neill’s return as manager was confirmed, office bearers took it in turn to express disappointment at the Nancy affair. Which was very good of them.
Celtic do not have a monopoly on bad decision-making. It just currently feels as if that is the case. A club who have dominated in Scotland for more than a decade, who have vast resources and more scope to plan than others of much lower stature, should never have been seeking a fourth manager in one season. That they are points firmly towards a lack of strategy and direction. It is a preposterous situation. Celtic are lucky that O’Neill, 73, retains an appetite to work. He also ticks another box, that of being idolised in the stands.
It took more than 40 days to hire Nancy, who duly lasted 33. He had no adequate credentials for this post and a one-dimensional outlook that failed even against moderate opposition in Scotland. Paul Tisdale, the head of football operations, is the sacrificial lamb. It was always extraordinary that an individual whose claim to fame is managing Exeter could be handed any degree of power at a club of Celtic’s size. Tisdale’s exit, like Nancy’s, will not trigger any tears. Far more intriguing is how Celtic ended up with such underwhelming personnel in key roles.
