Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy is attempting to introduce an exciting, attacking, and winning style of football to the Scottish champions, but his approach has been described as “unusual” by fans and analysts alike. After a challenging start, including four consecutive defeats, Sunday’s dramatic 3-1 victory over Aberdeen provided some welcome optimism for Celtic supporters.

Nancy, the 2024 MLS Coach of the Year, is known for his innovative tactical approach, which prioritizes positional flexibility, ball retention, and attacking fluidity. In this article, we break down his distinctive system, the principles he brought from Columbus Crew, and what Celtic fans can expect in the coming months.

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Nancy’s Tactical Approach: 3-4-2-1 Formation

At Celtic, Nancy has implemented a high-possession 3-4-2-1 system, similar to his approach at Columbus Crew.

• In possession, the team forms a 3-2 build-up shape: three central defenders supported closely by two central midfielders.
• Both wing-backs remain high and wide, while the two attacking midfielders operate centrally near the striker, forming a compact box in the middle of the pitch.
• This shape is designed to maintain short passing options and draw opponents out of position.

At Columbus Crew, Nancy’s preference for positionally versatile players allowed defenders and midfielders to interchange roles fluidly. At Celtic, his early team selections have drawn scrutiny, particularly when opting for only one natural central defender, but this may become a consistent feature once players adapt to his system.

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Attacking Centre-Backs and Asymmetrical Play

One of Nancy’s signature tactics is the use of attacking centre-backs. At Columbus Crew, right centre-back Steven Moreira often moved into midfield unmarked, creating space and passing options.

Nancy also employs asymmetrical play, with multiple players clustering on one side of the pitch. This forces defenders to make difficult decisions and creates gaps that can be exploited by wing-backs and midfielders.

At Celtic, this tactic has helped Kieran Tierney, the left-sided central defender, make runs from deep into attacking areas, contributing goals and assists from positions traditionally considered defensive.

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Promising Signs in Attack

Nancy’s attacking philosophy emphasizes precision and creativity. Celtic’s recent matches indicate gradual improvement:

• Against Aberdeen, Celtic had 71% possession, 31 shots, and an expected goals tally of 4.53, hitting the post four times.
• Players are increasingly encouraged to make extra passes and exploit spaces in the box rather than relying on crosses.

Nancy’s focus on freedom within structure allows players to express themselves while adhering to tactical principles. He explained his philosophy at Columbus Crew:

“For me, there is no creativity in structure. Within our concepts, players can move freely.”

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Defensive Challenges

While Celtic’s attacking play shows promise, defensive weaknesses remain.

• Nancy’s system prioritizes building attacks from deep, which can leave the team vulnerable to counter-attacks.
• Immediate counter-pressing is instructed, but inconsistent execution has left gaps for opponents to exploit.
• Set-piece defending has been a concern, as the squad lacks traditional defensive profiles to dominate aerial duels in their own box.

Improving defensive solidity will take time, particularly as players adapt to Nancy’s technical, flexible system rather than a conventional defensive approach.

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Trusting the Process

Celtic executives recruited Nancy knowing his tactical blueprint: a three-at-the-back system emphasizing positional rotation, one-twos, diagonal runs, and attacking freedom.

While domestic opponents often sit deep, requiring patience and precision, Nancy’s distinctive style has begun to show promise, particularly in the recent victory against Aberdeen. The challenge for Celtic will be maintaining short-term results while implementing a long-term footballing philosophy.

Fans will need to exercise patience as relationships develop on the pitch, new signings arrive, and Nancy’s attacking model fully takes hold. The club’s progress under Nancy will likely depend on a combination of tactical patience, squad recruitment, and incremental successes to sustain momentum.