Wilfried Nancy has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to become the new permanent manager of Celtic.
The 48-year-old inherits a team sitting joint top of the Scottish Premiership alongside Hearts, with a game in hand, after Martin O’Neill’s successful interim spell.
The Parkhead legend answered the club’s SOS when Brendan Rodgers left in October with the champions eight points adrift of the Jambos.
He soon brought the confidence and results flooding back, the win over Dundee in his final match in charge combined with Hearts’ home draw with Kilmarnock seeing that earlier deficit wiped out.
Nancy was quick to pay tribute to the Northern Irishman after his appointment had been confirmed by the club before the match against Dundee.
“Before I say anything else I want to do one thing – I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team,” he said.
“The job they have done has been fantastic…they have my total respect and my total gratitude. “Now it’s up to me to carry on this great work and carry our great club forward and I can’t wait to get going and become part of such a brilliant institution.”
Nancy arrives from MLS outfit Columbus Crew and will be joined by his No. 2 Kwame Ampadu in Glasgow. He added: “I am so happy to be named Celtic manager. It is a massive honour for myself and my family.
“Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.”
Celtic chief Peter Lawwell also praised O’Neill for his efforts, adding: “I want to express our sincere thanks to Martin, Shaun and our backroom team for all they have done in recent weeks during this interim period. They have done such a tremendous job in stabilising the team and restoring a real level of confidence.”
Nancy’s first game in the dug out will be the visit of Hearts on Sunday, with the Hoops now having the chance to open a clear gap at the top of the table, something most fans would have found hard to believe in the aftermath of Rodgers’ shock departure.
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