Erik Sviatchenko has encouraged Celtic to remain open to recruiting from Major League Soccer, insisting the market still offers value despite the club appointing Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew…Th...
Erik Sviatchenko has encouraged Celtic to remain open to recruiting from Major League Soccer, insisting the market still offers value despite the club appointing Wilfried Nancy from Columbus Crew…
The Danish centre-back – who spent two years at Celtic earlier in his career – is currently playing in the United States with Houston Dynamo, giving him first-hand experience of the MLS’ quality.
Now 34, Sviatchenko believes there are worthwhile opportunities available across the MLS, arguing that Nancy’s disastrous appointment should not discourage the Hoops from exploring potential signings there.
Speaking via Daily Record, Sviatchenko said: “The MLS is such a good market. The prices are sometimes a bit lower for some reason.
“It hasn’t been to the same level as all the other leagues around. In that aspect, I think you can find really, really good players here. Definitely, there’s a market for Celtic.”
Manager Celtic Wilfried Nancy of Celtic looks on after Celtic’s loss in the Premier League match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on December 30, 2025 in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
On Nancy’s catastrophic 33-day spell as Celtic boss, Sviatchenko added: “I was actually excited[when he was appointed]. I played against Columbus. I watched them several times, and they played really good football.
“They were organised and it was a tough team to go up against. It was not a team you wanted to play against in the MLS. Rightfully, they got so much praise. They had a really clear structure.
“Can you go and implement that at Celtic within a couple of weeks? It showed that it was probably impossible.
“He had hoped maybe that it would be easier, but it didn’t work out. I don’t know if the right decision is to just call it a day and say it wasn’t a fit, or you stick with your plan and keep going until the summer and then take the hits you might get on the way.
“It never looks good when you have a manager that is let go or sacked after 30 days. It’s not good.”
What wasn’t good Erik was losing a dozen points in a month including home games to both Hearts and the Rangers, losing a cup final to St Mirren and don’t forget that absolutely embarrassing night against Roma a Celtic Park in the Europa League. Nancy lost the support at Tannadice in the defeat to Dundee United. After that there was no coming back.
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