Under-fire Glasgow Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy, who has started his Parkhead career with four straight defeats, reckons he almost signed for Carlisle United.
But bizarrely, after last night’s 2-1 defeat at Dundee United, he claimed that failed move is why he understands Scottish football.
Carlisle were in the EFL when he almost signed for them the 48-year-old told reporters in an after match press conference at Tannadice.
He said that he knows how Scottish football works – and that he won’t underestimate it.
When pressed on that he said: “I know Scottish football. I know the way it is.
“I come from France. I come from Europe. So, I was close when I was a player to sign with Carlisle.
“So, I know exactly who I am. I know that the Scottish football, this is physical. I know that there is a lot of intensity. I know that there is a lot of fight. And the referee don’t whistle a lot. I know that.”
Former Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale is the influential director of football with Celtic and directly responsible for recruiting Frenchman Nancy.
A character in his own right Tisdale was once in the frame as a possible manager at Brunton Park but that is unlikely to have influenced his personal assessment of Scottish football – where he has ended up.
What particular year Nancy was referring to with regard to a possible move to Carlisle is unknown.
What is known is that the defender only played at amateur and semi-professional level in France without ever reaching double figure appearances in a season.
He moved to Canada in 2011 and started his coaching career which reached a peak with Columbus Crew, winning coach of the year in 2024 when they won the League Cup and were runners-up in the League.
