By JOHN MCGARRY

Published: 18:20, 2 January 2026 | Updated: 18:20, 2 January 2026

In the five weeks between Brendan Rodgers leaving Celtic and Wilfried Nancy arriving, supporters pored over every detail of the Frenchman’s time in charge at Columbus Crew.

There were the notable headline feats - the MLS Cup in 2023, the Leagues Cup the following year as well as the coveted Coach of the Year Award.

There was a fund of testimonies from former players subscribing to the view that Nancy was the real deal - ahead of his time in his field and a true people’s person.

Beyond that, there were some smart lines from the man himself. Courage being the only virtue in life. Never seeing his side as an underdog even if they were playing Real Madrid. The zinger about impossible being an opinion. All very inspiring and charismatic.

By the time the Frenchman left his seat in the press room at Fir Park the other night, however, you could have been forgiving for wondering if Celtic had simply got the wrong guy.

A fifth defeat...