Hyunjun Yang delivers telling verdict on Wilfried Nancy after Celtic cruise past Dundee United

Hyunjun Yang’s post-match comments following Celtic’s comfortable victory over Dundee United have added another layer to the growing narrative surrounding Wilfried Nancy’s brief and turbulent time at the club. With Nancy now gone, the mood around Celtic Park feels noticeably lighter, and both supporters and performances suggest a clear shift in direction.

Nancy’s departure earlier in the week was met with a striking silence from the playing squad. Typically, managerial sackings prompt messages of thanks or farewell posts on social media, but this time there was nothing of the sort. Instead, Celtic’s response came on the pitch. The Hoops delivered a confident display against Dundee United, playing with freedom and cohesion, and Hyunjun Yang capped it off with a goal that underlined his recent resurgence.

Yang’s role during Nancy’s short reign made his comments particularly noteworthy. The South Korean was frequently deployed as a right-sided wing-back, a position that never fully suited his attacking instincts. While he remained a regular feature in the team, his performances often felt constrained, reflecting the wider uncertainty that surrounded Celtic during Nancy’s 33-day spell in charge.

After the Dundee United win, Yang spoke to Celtic TV, and although English is not his first language, his message was clear enough to raise eyebrows. He described the team as being “very together now,” a simple phrase that carried significant weight. In the context of Nancy’s departure, it sounded like an implicit critique of what came before, suggesting a lack of unity during the former manager’s brief tenure.

Yang was careful not to directly criticise anyone, but his words spoke volumes. He expressed delight at scoring, admitting he did not expect to find the net given that goals from outside the box are not his usual strength. More importantly, he highlighted the collective spirit within the squad, emphasising togetherness and a shared sense of purpose. With Martin O’Neill securing three points in his second return of the season, the contrast in atmosphere was hard to ignore.

Those comments inevitably reflect poorly on Nancy. For a player to openly suggest that unity has been restored so soon after a managerial change implies that something fundamental was missing before. During Nancy’s time, Celtic looked disjointed both tactically and emotionally, and Yang’s remarks appear to confirm what many supporters already suspected: the dressing room was far from settled.

Yang’s recent upturn in form also adds context to his words. Over the summer of 2025, there was genuine speculation that he could leave Celtic. A potential move to Birmingham City was discussed, but ultimately failed to materialise, largely because the club did not secure a suitable replacement. At the time, Yang’s future in Glasgow seemed uncertain, especially following a difficult period under Brendan Rodgers.

Under Rodgers, Yang struggled to establish himself consistently, even during a season that ended with Celtic securing a domestic double. His opportunities were limited, and when he did feature, he rarely looked fully comfortable or confident. However, since Rodgers’ exit, there has been a noticeable change in Yang’s performances and attitude.

Freed from tactical constraints and given clearer instructions, Yang appears revitalised. He is playing with confidence, making more decisive runs, and contributing directly in the final third. His numbers since Rodgers left paint a clear picture of improvement: 14 appearances, 11 starts, four goals, and one assist. Those statistics suggest a player finally beginning to justify his place as a regular starter.

For Celtic supporters, Yang’s resurgence is symbolic of a broader reset. His comments after the Dundee United match hint at a squad that feels reconnected, motivated, and aligned with its direction once again. While Nancy’s time at the club was brief, its impact was clearly unsettling, and Yang’s understated honesty has only reinforced that view.

As Celtic move forward, performances like this and players like Yang finding their rhythm will be crucial. His words may have been simple, but they captured a powerful truth: unity has returned, and with it, optimism around Celtic Park.

Wilfried Nancy Linked With Potential Premier League Move as Burnley Speculation Emerges

Scottish football found itself unexpectedly pulled into the global sports conversation once again after former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy was namechecked as a possible candidate for a Premier League role. The suggestion came courtesy of American media personality Pat McAfee, who raised Nancy’s name during a wide-ranging and light-hearted discussion on The Pat McAfee Show that also featured Burnley co-owner JJ Watt.

Although the exchange was delivered in McAfee’s trademark informal style, it touched on a serious backdrop. Burnley’s current campaign has fallen well short of expectations, and with performances failing to improve, pressure has continued to mount on head coach Scott Parker. That growing uncertainty provided the context for a conversation that, while humorous on the surface, reflected the realities of modern football discourse.

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Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy looks dejected after Rangers’ Mikey Moore scores their third goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Rangers manager Danny Rohl celebrates after the match as Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy looks dejected REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy looks dejected after Rangers’ Mikey Moore scores their third goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy speaks to Liam Scales REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts REUTERS/Lee Smith

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy and Rangers manager Danny Rohl react REUTERS/Lee Smith

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy looks dejected after Rangers’ Youssef Chermiti scores their second goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts REUTERS/Lee Smith

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Police officers are pictured as Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts REUTERS/Lee Smith

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – January 3, 2026 Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Nancy’s inclusion in the discussion came as a surprise to many. His brief and turbulent spell at Celtic was short-lived, lasting just over a month, but his reputation from his time in Major League Soccer has clearly endured beyond that abrupt chapter in Glasgow. The fact his name could be casually floated in a Premier League-related conversation on a major American sports platform illustrates how quickly football narratives can travel across borders.

During the show, McAfee acknowledged Burnley’s struggles before suggesting that change might be necessary. With Watt present, the conversation took on an added layer of intrigue, even if no one involved presented the idea as a concrete plan.

“I did learn of Burnley’s record, okay? I didn’t like it,” McAfee said. “We’re going to fix it though. If you are thinking about a new coach, I’ve got a guy.”

McAfee then attempted to outline Nancy’s recent career path, referencing his success in MLS before his move to Scotland. While his pronunciation of Celtic drew laughs, the point was clear: Nancy’s name had entered the chat as a potential solution, however loosely framed.

Producer Gump Cathcart expanded on the background, offering a blunt summary of Nancy’s time in Glasgow. He highlighted Nancy’s achievements in North America, where he had earned MLS Coach of the Year honours with Columbus Crew, before pointing out how abruptly things unraveled at Celtic. According to Cathcart, Nancy was dismissed after just 33 days in charge, following a run of six defeats in eight matches, and is currently without a club.

The casual nature of the exchange did little to diminish the reaction it generated. Nancy’s name being associated with a Premier League club, even hypothetically, was enough to raise eyebrows. It also served as a reminder that reputations in football are rarely defined by a single chapter, no matter how dramatic or disappointing that chapter may be.

Nancy’s spell at Celtic was shaped by intense pressure from the outset. Taking over a squad already struggling for form and confidence, he found himself under relentless scrutiny from supporters and media alike. Results failed to improve, performances lacked cohesion, and the margin for error quickly disappeared. In an environment as demanding as Celtic Park, patience is often in short supply, and Nancy’s tenure ended almost as soon as it began.

That experience, however, has not completely overshadowed the work he did prior to arriving in Scotland. In MLS, Nancy was widely praised for his tactical ideas, player development, and man-management skills. His Columbus Crew side played an attractive, possession-based style, and his ability to improve individuals earned him considerable respect within North American football circles.

It is that version of Nancy that continues to resonate in discussions outside Scotland. For audiences less familiar with the pressures unique to Celtic, his Glasgow stint may be seen as an anomaly rather than a definitive judgment on his capabilities. That distinction helps explain why his name can still surface when conversations turn to potential managerial candidates.

From Burnley’s point of view, any consideration of a coaching change would come with significant risk. The Premier League is an unforgiving environment, particularly for clubs fighting to stabilise their status. Adaptation, communication, and immediate results are all essential, and appointing a manager with limited experience in English football would represent a gamble.

That said, Burnley’s ownership structure and evolving identity mean they are not immune to unconventional ideas. JJ Watt’s involvement alone reflects the club’s openness to broader sporting perspectives, even if decisions ultimately remain rooted in football logic rather than media chatter.

For Celtic supporters, hearing Nancy’s name discussed in connection with another high-profile role may provoke mixed reactions. His departure from Parkhead was swift and decisive, leaving little time for relationships or ideas to take hold. Many fans will remember his time in Glasgow as a cautionary tale rather than an unfinished project.

Yet football has a long history of recycling figures who have struggled in one environment only to thrive in another. Context, timing, and support structures all play a role, and a manager’s suitability can vary dramatically from club to club.

The episode also highlighted the growing influence of platforms like The Pat McAfee Show in shaping sports narratives. McAfee’s reach extends far beyond traditional American football audiences, touching owners, executives, players, and fans across multiple sports. When names are mentioned on such a stage, even in jest, they can take on a life of their own.

This blending of cultures — American sports media, Scottish football, MLS, and the Premier League — reflects how interconnected the modern game has become. Conversations that once would have remained local now travel globally in real time, blurring the lines between serious analysis and entertainment.

Whether Burnley would ever seriously consider Nancy is another matter entirely. The discussion may ultimately be remembered as nothing more than a passing moment, a humorous aside that briefly linked disparate football worlds. There has been no indication from Burnley that a managerial change is imminent, nor that Nancy is under genuine consideration.

Still, the fact his name surfaced at all speaks to how quickly football narratives evolve. A manager dismissed after little more than a month at Celtic can still be mentioned as a possible Premier League option, even if only hypothetically, a short time later.

As Burnley’s season progresses, decisions about their future will be driven by performances on the pitch rather than comments made on a podcast. Results will dictate whether Parker remains in charge, not external speculation. But moments like this illustrate how the conversation around football leadership is no longer confined to press conferences and pundit panels.

For now, Wilfried Nancy remains without a club, his reputation split between contrasting chapters of his career. The mention of his name on a major American show serves as a reminder that football moves fast, memories are selective, and opportunity can resurface in the most unexpected places.

In an era where discussion travels instantly and globally, even a brief, tongue-in-cheek comment can spark headlines, debate, and renewed scrutiny. For Nancy, it was another sign that his story in football may not be finished — and that the spotlight, once found, is never far away.