Celtic

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Charlie Mulgrew has stressed the need for a quick resolution to Celtic's managerial search as the club reportedly close in on Wilfried Nancy.

Columbus Crew head coach Nancy is said to be in advanced talks over taking the reins from Martin O'Neill, who has spent four games in caretaker charge, winning three.

"I just think something needs to be done quick," said former defender Mulgrew, who plays for Celtic in the Scottish Masters tonight - live on BBC Scotland.

He added: "If it's Martin O'Neill staying on then get that done till the end of the season. And if it's not, let's get somebody in quick to move forward with transfer planning and all that type of stuff so all players are settled and know what's happening.

"The quicker it happens, it gets rid of the uncertainty. January is a big window and that needs to be taken into consideration.

"Probably players need to move on that are not getting game-time and some players need to be brought in.

"So to do that you need somebody there that's capable of signing players in the Celtic way in terms of everybody together in the process of what type of players they're trying to get to maybe to sell for the future or certain players to come in and make an immediate impact.

"January's a big window so they need to get the appointment right so it can all align together and the right signings are made."

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Columbus Crew's French head coach Wilfried Nancy, 48, is in advanced talks to become Celtic's new manager. (Record), external

Nancy has refused to respond to reports suggesting he is being considered for the vacancy at Celtic. (Herald - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tull has said Nancy is "locked in" for next season. (Record), external

Celtic will likely have to pay Columbus Crew a multi-million dollar compensation package if they want to land Nancy and his coaching staff, according to US experts. (Glasgow Times), external

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin would be surprised if Nancy became Celtic manager. (Herald - subscription required), external

Celtic have been holding talks in London this week with various targets as they continue their search for a new manager, with Nancy, Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen and Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna among the names being considered. (Sky Sports), external

Former Celtic striker Robbie Keane has reiterated he remains focused on his work at Ferencvaros amid links with the Scottish champions' manager's job. (Record), external

Japan forward Daizen Maeda has informed Celtic of his desire to depart in the January transfer window, with Brentford, Everton, Leeds United, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers all interested in the 28-year-old. (TeamTalk), external

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 39, has revealed he expects to hold talks in February about a new contract with the Scottish champions. (Sun), external

Liam Scales drew praise from Republic of Ireland supporters after the Celtic defender set up the opener in Thursday's 2-0 win over Portugal. (Sun), external

Celtic could be in line for a sell-on fee in January for Kristoffer Ajer, with Wolfsburg linked with interest in the Brentford centre-half. (Sky Sports), external

Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage believes Celtic still have enough in their squad to pip his old club to the Scottish Premiership title. (Record), external

Veteran former Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven, 35, can still be a game changer at Ross County, says manager Tony Docherty. (Press and Journal), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Interim boss Martin O'Neill says he has no idea if he will still be charge for Celtic's return to action after the international break and insists he would "gladly step aside" for a new manager.

The 73-year-old has been at the helm for four games following Brendan Rodgers' resignation and Celtic have been reportedly been interviewing managerial candidates in recent days, with Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy heavily linked.

"The short and honest answer is I genuinely do not know," the Northern Irishman told BBC Radio Ulster when asked if he'd still be in charge for next Saturday's trip to face St Mirren.

"I am not party to anything that is happening with the board talking to prospective clients and things like this, nor do I want to be because that's never been a remit of mine since I left Celtic [in 2005].

"The gentlemen involved can very easily make up their own minds without me interfering.

"I said I would do it until they found that replacement and that is possible before next week [against St Mirren] but I genuinely do not know.

"My job was to come in and hold the fort. The minute someone is appointed, I will step aside and if it was tomorrow, I would gladly step aside.

"It's not a problem. It's nothing to do with any sort of ego or anything like that. It's just to help out in the very, very short term."

O'Neill guided Celtic into the Premier Sports Cup final with a 3-1 extra-time win over rivals Rangers and there has been suggestions he should remain in charge for the 14 December showpiece against St Mirren.

"That really doesn't matter," said O'Neill. "I am a romantic and have been a romantic all my life. I know the history of football and all of those particular things but that doesn't bother me one jot."

We asked what is the one thing you would change at Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

Stephen: The lack of transparency from the board. Speak to the fans for crying out loud, we're the ones who fund your whole operation but are consistently treated with contempt and gaslit whenever we raise issues and concerns.

Joe: Simple, scouting and recruitment. We have signed some rank rotten players in recent years. Can someone please explain to me why Celtic were monitoring Michel-Ange Balikwisha for around 18 months before splashing out big money (by Scottish standards)?

Dan: Truthfully think we have to modernise our whole operations model. It's all well and good being the best run club in the world, having £80/90m in the bank and doing nothing with it. You have to look across the wider spectrum of football and see the strides others are making by utilising new analytical tools etc. As the game moves on and evolves, we have to do the same. However, in order for us to do this, we will have to move on a few of the dinosaurs in the boardroom.

John: Modernise the footballing department.

Fred: There should be an experienced former player, such as Martin O'Neill or Pat Bonner, on the board to oversee football strategy. An 'old head' in the stands has a better overview than a manager in the dugout.

Prentice: Transparency between the board and fans would go a long way, especially around the transfer market. Celtic miss out on a lot of players and usually we hear rumours of disorganisation from the board or attempts to undercut a team with our offers. A clear transfer policy and rationale behind the decisions that are made would help fans to have faith the board are putting our best interests first. At the moment, it feels as though there is a lack of ambition or just sheer incompetence from the board.

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Celtic centre-half Liam Scales set up the opening goal as Republic of Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of World Cup qualification.

Scales met a corner swung to the far post and his header across the face of goal was met by Troy Parrott for the first of the AZ Alkmaar striker's double in Dublin.

Ireland's win, during which Portugal forward Ronaldo was sent off, prevented the visiting group leaders sealing their place in the finals as Group F winners.

With one game remaining, Portugal lead Hungary by two points, with the Irish one point further back.

Hungary host the Irish in their final game on Sunday as Portugal host Armenia.

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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Former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley believes Martin O'Neill has earned the right to lead the club in the Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren next month.

Interim boss O'Neill guided Celtic to a 3-1 extra-time win over rivals Rangers in the semi-finals and has overseen 4-0 league victories over Falkirk and Kilmarnock, with the sole defeat on his watch coming away to Europa League leaders Midtjylland.

"Since Martin's taken over, it's been very entertaining, very attacking minded," Ledley told BBC Scotland.

"His substitutions have been spot on as well, which I think we lacked at the beginning of the season.

"He's done nothing wrong at the moment. Obviously Celtic are struggling in the Europa League. It's a big test playing in that competition.

"But domestically he's been fantastic."

Asked whether O'Neill should be charge for the final on 14 December, Ledley added: "I definitely think he should be.

"That's down to the board to decide. I'm sure Martin would probably like to have a final and he deserves it.

"They were magnificent against Rangers, especially in the first half. We just never know in football what will happen. But the board will be looking at candidates.

"Martin has been a breath of fresh air for the club.

"All players are buying in as well. You can see that they look happy. It looks as if there's a lot of pressure off them and it's free-flowing football as well."

Ledley will be playing for Celtic in the Scottish Masters at the P&J Arena in Aberdeen. Watch live coverage on BBC Scotland on Friday, 14 November at 19:30 GMT.

It has been a turbulent start to Celtic's title defence with managerial upheaval and patchy form.

Martin O'Neill has steadied the ship since taking the reins on an interim basis following the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers last month.

Uncertainty remains over who will replace Rodgers long term, while Celtic have narrowed the gap on Premiership pacesetters Hearts to seven points with a game in hand.

The international break provides the chance to pause for breath and reflect after a frenetic few weeks at Parkhead.

So, if you could change one thing about Celtic's season so far, what would it be?

Let us know here.

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Scottish FA head of refereeing Willie Collum backs Nick Walsh's decision not to send off Celtic defender Auston Trusty in the recent Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers. Trusty appeared to catch goalkeeper Jack Butland's head with a foot. (Sun), external

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 39, will not discuss a potential extension to his stay at Celtic until later in the season. (Record), external

Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti has withdrawn from the Tunisia squad before their trio of upcoming friendly matches. (Sun), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

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As Celtic look to step up their search for a manager, there is no escaping the name Wilfried Nancy.

The Columbus Crew head coach has emerged as the hot favourite with bookmakers for the job vacated by Brendan Rodgers and currently being filled on a temporary basis by Martin O'Neill.

Frenchman Nancy has never managed in Europe, but has had success during his time in North America with FC Montreal and now Columbus.

Scottish football writer Gordon Waddell believes Celtic may be turning their attention to Nancy because a move for Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna would prove too expensive.

"Virtually every manager that either Celtic or Rangers ever appoint will be a risk to a certain extent," Waddell told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"There's this notion from both sets of supports that 'we deserve the best' and you're only going to get the best if you pay for the best.

"So you're not going to get a Jurgen Klopp to come in or McKenna down at Ipswich, it's going cost them £5m to pay his release and also then an extraordinary set of wages and bring his staff. They're not going to do that, they won't pay that money.

"So they have to think outside the box, but there's where you find the risk for any number of reasons.

"Nancy's philosophy seems to sync very well with the way Celtic think they should play. But as we found out with Russell Martin at Rangers and various others who have been in these jobs over the years, ultimately your philosophy doesn't matter if you're not winning games and not winning titles.

"So it's going to be an interesting recruitment process. From what I can gather, he is very much in the thick of it and has a fair chance of getting the job.

"There are a lot of questions and I'm not sure what Celtic's answer is because there's not an obvious choice for them this time."

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Celtic defender Alistair Johnston hopes to put the toughest spell of his career behind him after undergoing hamstring surgery.

The Canada right-back has played just five games in an injury-ravaged season and made an aborted comeback against Sturm Graz last month.

Interim boss Martin O'Neill said earlier this week Johnston required an operation and will be out "for a long time".

"These past few months have been as challenging as any for me personally since my career began," Johnston, 27, said on Instagram., external

"With that being said, I'm happy to say that I successfully underwent surgery today to repair my hamstring and hopefully this will be the first step in putting this injury behind me for good.

"Thank you for the support during this time and I can't wait to be back fully fit later this season for a title push and a home World Cup."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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One of the first things to impress onlookers, apart from his style of football, is the speed of Celtic-linked Wilfried Nancy's rise to prominence.

The current Columbus Crew head coach landed his first managerial job in 2021, taking over from his friend and former boss Thierry Henry at CF Montreal. Not bad for a man who, just a few short years earlier, was coaching Under-14 girls.

It appears Nancy, 48, is no stranger to a steep learning curve, as ESPN broadcaster and former USA striker Herculez Gomez explains.

"He has an idea of how he wants to play, it's very brave, it's very nuanced," said the American.

"It's very New Age, modern football, if you will, but in a crazy, mad scientist way. That's who he's been from day one, and it's really gone well.

"I say meteoric rise because 2021 is when he got his first professional stint as a manager, and since then, he's collected a few titles. Canadian Championship, MLS Leagues Cup, MLS Cup."

Born in Le Havre, France, in 1977 to a father from Guadeloupe and a mother from West Africa, Nancy is already something of a trailblazer.

"He was the first black head coach in the history of Major League Soccer to win a title," Gomez explained.

"They'd never had a black coach lift the MLS Cup, and he did it with a certain type of brand, and I guess the best way to describe him is he's brave in his football.

"Speak to his players and they'll say the result is secondary. Secondary because he wants to implement the brand first, and the rest follows."

Read more: 'Next Luis Enrique' - who is Celtic-linked Nancy?

Celtic have joined Sunderland in monitoring midfielder Hossam Essadak, who captained Morocco to the Under-20 World Cup title last month. (TeamTalk), external

Jay Lefevre is to leave his post as head of scouting operations at Celtic for a move to English Championship side Swansea City. (The Herald - subscription required), external

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

At the blackjack table of Scottish football, having already lost a £40m Champions League qualifying gamble, the Celtic board are now faced with a dilemma: stick or twist?

As they ramp up the search for Brendan Rodgers' successor, they're sitting with a pretty decent hand already.

Interim boss Martin O'Neill has done what was asked of him: steady the ship, stem the flow of losses, lift the squad out of their torpor.

It has worked, on the domestic front at least. Two league wins and the gold-dust of a cup semi-final defeat of Rangers.

Coming up short against the best side in the Europa League, on current standings - and on their own patch - wouldn't set off too many alarm bells, regardless of how poor Celtic were in the first half in Denmark last week.

So what to do? Keep O'Neill until at least the Premier Sports Cup final he steered the side into? Possibly keep him until the January transfer window, which would be the first opportunity for any new coach to inject fresh blood into the place?

Would the Parkhead blazers even contemplate keeping O'Neill until the end of the season, to give the permanent incomer a clean slate and summer rebuild?

It may all come down to which candidate Celtic plump for, and their availability.

Kjetil Knutsen of Bodo/Glimt has been linked with the job several times across many years. He's about to finish his season in Norway but there's the complication of Bodo's Champions League involvement to consider as well.

They wrap up the Norwegian Eliteserien at home to Fredrikstad on 30 November. They're a point off leaders Viking with two games to go.

Bodo's season doesn't end there, though. They won't be finished in Europe's elite competition until a trip to Atletico Madrid at the end of January.

Prior to that, Knutsen's men have glamour games against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. Would the in-demand coach, having taken the side to the Champions League proper for the first time in their history, really want to forgo the chance to test himself against Pep Guardiola and co?

Should he want to see out the season in full, he wouldn't be available until February.

The other name gathering lots of chatter for the Celtic job is Thierry Henry's former assistant at Montreal, Wilfried Nancy.

The former centre-back from France's second tier has been making waves with Columbus Crew in America's MLS. His assistant Kwame Ampadu has ties with Celtic's head of football operations Paul Tisdale from their time together at Exeter City. The season has ended for Columbus, so the pair would be available immediately.

Which brings us back to stick or twist. Keep O'Neill for a few more weeks or months? Keep him until Knutsen's availability kicks in at some point? Or gamble on Nancy, whose reputation is growing but is untested in European football?

It will be fascinating to see where the chips fall.

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Luke McCowan is relishing playing for Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill.

The midfielder, 27, featured in Sunday's 4-0 Scottish Premiership win over Kilmarnock, having missed out on Celtic's previous two fixtures.

"I mean, it's Martin O'Neill at the end of the day," said McCowan. "He's got that aura and brings that motivating factor of what it means to play for this club, as did the previous manager as well.

"He just brings that different kind of speech before a game and just puts full belief in everybody that's in a squad and is really, really forward to everybody as well. He just tells you how it is.

"The guys know in the dressing room that they are all valued and we need to use that because the season's long and, as you're seeing, left, right and centre, we're getting injuries everywhere, and it's about squad players coming up and stepping up when they can."

O'Neill returned to Celtic 20 years on from the end of his five-year managerial spell, during which time the club won seven domestic honours and reached the 2003 Uefa Cup final. Shaun Maloney, who is assisting O'Neill, was an extra-time substitute as Celtic lost 3-2 to Porto in Seville.

"When he came in, all I could think about was the Uefa Cup final, what did he say in the dressing room? And lucky enough, I could just ask Shaun," McCowan explained.

"It's been amazing. We know the positive performances come from us first. The attitude comes from us, the mentality comes from us. So we just need to keep pushing that.

"I'm sure if we do, we'll keep charging on and hopefully get more positive results like Sunday."

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Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy is on the Celtic managerial shortlist, along with Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen and Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond will hold talks with Martin O'Neill this week as the club ponder extending the 73-year-old's interim period in charge of the team. (Sky Sports), external

Liverpool and Scotland left-back Andy Robertson, 31, will leave Anfield when his contract expires next summer and has already held talks with Celtic. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is being courted by Saudi Pro League clubs. (Daily Record), external

Celtic coach Mark Fotheringham is mentioned in connection with the managerial vacancy at Norwich City. (Scottish Sun), external

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Celtic swept to a dominant 4-0 Premiership victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday, narrowing the gap to league leaders Hearts as a result.

Kieran Tierney and Johnny Kenny both got on the scoresheet and earn spots in my team of the week.

Tierney has struggled for form since returning to Celtic and it was clear to see how much it meant to him to be back somewhere near to his best.

Kenny looks sharp as a tack right now, and has four goals in his past four games.

Scoring his first goal since his return to Celtic was a big, emotional moment for Kieran Tierney on Sunday, but former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart believes the "psychological scars" of so many injury problems will take a while longer to heal.

The Scotland defender, who fired his side's second goal in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock after coming on as a substitute, is back at Celtic after his injuries contributed to a lack of game time and release by Arsenal.

"You want to see a player of that talent and ability come back to the fore," Stewart told BBC Scotland's Scottish Football Podcast.

"It's not going to be easy, though, because the psychological scars that Kieran Tierney has sort of amassed over the last number of years, it doesn't shift or leave them quickly.

"When you're younger, there's almost a carefree attitude - I've got a knock, doesn't matter, I'll just batter through.

"The older you get, it's amazing how it can affect your drive slightly, especially when you've had moments like this where he'll be feeling a little bit uncertain about his ability to be able to physically do what he needs to do. It can take the edge off."

Stewart hopes the feeling of "belonging" induced by being back at his boyhood club will help Tierney and that it might take a season of playing less than 90 minutes or sitting out some matches before he returns to his best.

"But, even if he's able to get back to close to those levels, the guy's a world-class player," he said. "But, at the moment, it is definitely a work in progress for him to try and get back to those levels."

Former Scotland striker Billy Dodds pointed out that "he's got a few years left of him" at just 28.

"He doesn't want to push himself too much till he gets himself conditioned mentally," he added. "For him to go, I feel great, I want to get through it now, I can play two, three games in the trot.

"I don't think he's quite there yet, but if you do get it right, and Celtic can get him tip-top condition-wise, fitness-wise, and he can get himself so positive, Kieran Tierney is a star, he's proven it."

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Celtic forward Johnny Kenny and Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath have been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Hungary.

McGrath, 29, could add to his 13 caps while under-21 cap Kenny, 22, could make his senior international debut.

Both players featured in weekend Scottish Premiership wins, with McGrath assisting Josh Mulligan's opener in Hibs' 3-0 Saturday win away to St Mirren and Kenny opening the scoring for Celtic as they defeated visitors Kilmarnock 4-0 on Sunday - a fifth goal in 11 appearances this season. McGrath also has five goals this term.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland are third in World Cup Qualifying Group F, a point behind Hungary and a point in front of Armenia.

Portugal, who visit Dublin on Thursday, are five points clear at the top. Hungary host Hallgrimsson's side in Sunday's final round of group fixtures.

Roma forward Evan Ferguson will miss the Portugal game but could be fit in time for the match in Budapest. Bristol City midfielder Mark Sykes has been ruled out injured.

We asked for your thoughts after Celtic beat Kilmarnock 4-0 on Sunday.

Here's what some of you said:

Peter: Three points is all that matters. Another step towards regaining top spot in the league. Europe is irrelevant now. We must restore domestic dominance. Play youth players in Europe to protect our diminishing first team squad.

Denis: Decent result against a team that can give us problems. With all the injuries it's good to see the players step up once more.

Adam: Another great performance, another great result and another three points. In form we are the best team in the country by far and that gap to the top is going to keep on closing if we keep playing like we are. Just need to hope that if we get in a new permanent manager, then he keeps the team playing like they are.

Kev: Celtic could lose Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho to the African Nations' Cup in December and January. If Daizen Maeda and Yang Hyun-Jun move on, as expected, in January, only Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada will be available. The injury list at Parkhead is of great concern. What's causing these injuries?

Steven: Martin O'Neill's march continued against a poor Kille team not offering much. Things will get much tougher for Celtic in games to come but good to see O'Neill has restored confidence to our players with Maeda and Kieran Tierney looking restored.

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Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are preparing for hamstring surgery that will keep the Celtic pair sidelined "for a long time", interim manager Martin O'Neill has revealed.

And it was also a hamstring injury that forced team-mate Marcelo Saracchi to be substituted during the first half of Sunday's 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.

When asked about left-back Saracchi, O'Neill said: "He's done his hamstring. He's going to be out.

"And the other two lads, Johnston and Osmand, are getting surgery on Tuesday. So they're going to be out for a long time."

Summer forward signing Osmand was carried off on a stretcher during Thursday's defeat by Midtjylland and Canada right-back Johnston suffered a relapse last month against Sturm Graz as he made a comeback from the injury he first suffered in August.

O'Neill said of Johnston: "They had to wait a little while just to get a clear picture of the hamstring and the scan has shown a tear as well.

"So that's really sad because everybody says he's a really, really good player."