Reaction: Celtic 1-0 Dundee
Here are some of the latest headlines when it comes to Rangers and Celtic.
Rangers and Celtic are both heading into weekend Premiership fixtures with key appointments in mind.
Wilfried Nancy will start his tenure as Parkhead head coach with a top of the table clash with Hearts on home soil. It’s the start of a huge week that also includes Roma in the Europa League and then a Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren, while Rangers travel to Kilmarnock.
A draw midweek with Dundee United had more ground lost on their rivals and Danny Rohl will be keen for a return to winning ways. From where Celtic could sign under Nancy and Rangers following Arsenal’s lead behind the scenes, here are some of the latest headlines from an Old Firm perspective.
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Where could Celtic sign players from under Wilfried Nancy?
Neil McGuinness is technical director at Los Angeles FC after working as Nancy’s recruitment chief while at Columbus Crew. He has watched Nancy’s development in America and reckons the MLS is filled with talent who could make the jump to Celtic. He told the Daily Record: “Absolutely. I strongly believe it’s a market Celtic should be looking at. You just have to see the success of Alistair Johnston at Celtic. But you look beyond that, there are more and more players who are going to Europe from the MLS and excelling. You look at Aidan Morris who went to Middlesbrough has done very well, Almiron when he went to Newcastle and was excellent.
“We had Cucho Hernandez at Columbus, who went to Real Betis and is producing the goods in La Liga. There are many, many more. The MLS is a very good standard and it’s improving every year. There are quality players coming through and they are playing alongside some really top stars. At LAFC we brought in Son Heung-min from Spurs and players can learn from these guys too.
“Regardless of the league players are in, if they are showing the attributes and mentality to play at a higher level, there is always opportunity to find them. Celtic have done well in exploring markets outside Europe, with the likes of the Japanese players making huge impressions. But America is definitely another environment they should be looking at.”
Rangers backed over key hire
Ex-Rangers star Derek Ferguson has praised his former club for the hire of Scott Fry as set piece coach after lauded work at Lincoln City. Arsenal have been praised for their work from dead balls with specialist coach Nicolas Jover and Ferguson reckons Rangers are wise to take a leaf out the Gunners booked, managed by ex-Ger Mikel Arteta.
He told Ibrox News: “Most clubs now look at that situation, so it’s a massive move by Rangers. You look at Arsenal and their set-piece coach – the evidence is there.
“Football is a game of fine margins so set-pieces are massive, you know. If it gets Rangers an extra one per cent, an extra two or three goals a season, that could make the difference. It’s important you have guys like that on board. It’s incredible these days because you have people employed to make sandwiches and what not! Kidding aside, it’s important that new ideas are implemented and all basis are covered.”
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