McInnes outfoxes Nancy as Hearts shine
Reports in Scotland suggest Derek McInnes relied on “informed guesswork” to successfully counter Wilfried Nancy’s new-look Celtic in Sunday’s clash, as Hearts beat the champions and looked like “potential champions” themselves in the process.
Versatile Hearts man Harry Milne, 29, will now miss the match against Rangers on 21 December after picking up a booking in the win, triggering a suspension for that fixture.
Doubts raised over timing of Nancy’s arrival
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has questioned whether this was the right moment for Nancy to take over at Celtic, given the pressure around the club and the scale of change being attempted.
Despite a “ham-fisted” introduction being widely criticised in the Scottish press, Nancy has defended his radical formation shift and insists he will not “hit the panic button” after just one nightmare debut match.
Unflattering comparisons and off-field optics at Celtic
Nancy’s post-match comments following the defeat have reportedly earned him unflattering comparisons with recently sacked former Rangers manager Russell Martin, with some media drawing parallels in tone and messaging.
Adding to an uncomfortable afternoon for Celtic, head of football operations Paul Tisdale was caught on TV cameras apparently dozing off during the home loss, an image that has circulated widely and fuelled further criticism.
Managerial moves and squad trimming elsewhere in Scotland
Ex-Coleraine boss Dean Shiels, who previously played for Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Rangers, is understood to be in the frame for the vacant Greenock Morton manager’s job.
At Dundee, on-loan Cesar Garza is tipped to be among the players leaving in January as the club prepares to trim the squad during the winter window.
Tartan Army fever reaches Boston
In a lighter off-pitch story, a Boston pub owner originally from Aberdeenshire has reportedly started stockpiling Tennent’s lager ahead of the Tartan Army’s arrival for the World Cup, expecting a heavy Scottish invasion and planning accordingly.
