Celtic are advancing talks with Wilfried Nancy, the Columbus Crew manager, as they move to appoint a permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers. The Scottish champions notified the MLS club of their intentions on Friday, with any compensation fee not expected to pose a problem.
Nancy, who is understood to be keen on the move, could be in place before Celtic’s trip to St Mirren next weekend, bringing an end to Martin O’Neill’s caretaker spell.
The 47-year-old Frenchman, previously in charge of Montreal, led Columbus Crew to seventh in the MLS Eastern Conference this season before a playoff exit to FC Cincinnati.
Though initially seen as an outsider, Nancy has emerged as Celtic’s preferred choice, fitting their profile of a progressive, adaptable coach willing to work within the club’s transfer structure.
Former frontrunner Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town and others such as Robbie Keane and Kjetil Knutsen were also considered, but Paul Tisdale, Celtic’s head of football operations, has identified Nancy as his top target.
