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Days on from a sixth loss in eight matches, Celtic head coach Wilfried Nancy has officially been sacked by the club after less than two months in the dugout.

A 3-1 loss against their Glasgow rivals at Parkhead on Saturday was his fourth defeat in six Scottish Premiership games, and that was enough for the club to decide to move on from him.

From the outside looking in, some may wonder if the former Columbus Crew manager was given enough time to implement his ideas after joining midway through the season.

Why Celtic were right to sack Nancy

After the loss to Rangers, Chris Sutton said: “It’s not working. I think he’ll be fortunate to survive this. People say, ‘well, it’s not Wilfried Nancy’s fault’, and maybe it isn’t, but the club have to be really decisive.”

He added: They can’t hang around in terms of getting players in, but if they want to stick with Wilfried Nancy, and I’m not so sure that they should, because there’s probably a guy out there where they’d stand a better chance of winning the Premiership with.”

Nancy is the only Celtic manager in the club’s history to lose their first four matches in charge of the club, and the first to lose six of their first eight competitive games in the dugout.

It is a historically bad start for a head coach at a club that is built on short-term success. The Hoops should not need to spend months and months on a project because they should be winning trophies every season.

The comments of Luke McCowan in the interview above were astonishing. Perhaps the raw emotion after such a loss came across too much, but he stated that the manager needed to react to the changes that Danny Rohl made at the break, and his reaction to a question about backing Nancy is damning.

With all of this in mind, the Premiership champions were right to part ways with him. Now, they must find an upgrade on the Frenchman, and it should not be Martin O’Neill.

EFL manager could be a big Nancy upgrade for Celtic

Despite seven wins in eight games as the interim manager, the Hoops should still be looking for the manager who can lead them in the future, as well as in the here and now.

That is why they should look past O’Neill as a possible replacement for Nancy, because an interim until the end of the season only delays the inevitable.

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Instead, they should revisit the reported interest that they had in Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna prior to Nancy’s arrival, as he was reportedly one of their targets to replace Brendan Rodgers.

The Northern Irish boss, who was described as “incredible” by Tractor Boys winger Wes Burns, would have to be tempted to part ways with the English side in the midst of a promotion battle, though, which is one possible obstacle in the way of hiring him.

If the Hoops could convince McKenna to make the move to Parkhead, it would be a “huge coup”, as journalist Pete O’Rourke said at the time of the initial link, because of his work with Ipswich.

The former Manchester United youth coach has taken the Tractor Boys from being a mid-table League One team to competing for a return to the Premier League, after being relegated from the top-flight last term.

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich career

Season (games managed)

League position

25/26 Championship (25)

2nd

24/25 Premier League (38)

19th

23/24 Championship (46)

2nd

22/23 League One (46)

2nd

21/22 League One (23)

11th

Stats via Transfermarkt

To go from an 11th-place League One finish, when he joined midway through the season, to earning back-to-back promotions shows that he can galavnise a club and take them to the next level, and the level after that.

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He may not have a title under his belt, which Celtic supporters may question, but he has achieved his success with a team that is not expected to be competing for titles, yet he has still had them challenging at the very top, which speaks to his tactical and motivational skills.

Bringing in a manager who has proven that he can lift a team and achieve unexpected success could be exactly what Celtic need to save their season after a dreadful run of results that has left the side in a difficult spot.

On top of his success with Ipswich, the Northern Irish boss also favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, per Transfermarkt, which means that he would play a formation more suited to what Celtic are used to, having played 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 under Rodgers, O’Neill, and Ange Postecoglou, instead of the 3-4-2-1 system that did yield success.

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Therefore, McKenna could come in as an upgrade on Nancy, who has endured a disastrous spell in the dugout so far, if the club can get him to ditch Ipswich in the middle of a promotion chase.

Newcastle United are now set to launch an enquiry to sign a talented Ligue 1 defender this month, according to recent reports.

Howe admits "season-defining" month for Newcastle

It’s a crucial time for Newcastle. Not only must they get results on the pitch, but they must also get things right in the transfer market. They’ve got unfinished business after hosting a late show in the summer and new sporting director Ross Wilson has the chance to get off to the perfect start this month.

Even Eddie Howe couldn’t escape how important this month is, admitting that it will be “season-defining” for Newcastle before having his say on potential incomings.

He told reporters: “Marquee signing, I don’t know quite what that means – I suppose you’re talking big financial outlay?

“I don’t think that’s the desire in this month for various reasons, because I don’t think it’s a great month necessarily to make that kind of signing.

“Any signing that we do make in this window will restrict our ability to do business in the summer, so I think we’ve got to be really careful that we make the right decisions for the here and now and for the future.

“We’re still in that position where PSR will influence every decision that we make, so that’s where we have to be really smart. I don’t think that’s necessarily the wish in this month, but I think our injury situation to a degree will impact what we do and don’t do.”

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If smart is the way to go, then the Magpies should expect to welcome reinforcements who are available at the right price and in a position to make an instant impact such as Bazoumana Toure or perhaps even Dayann Methalie.

According to Craig Hope reporting on Friday lunchtime, Newcastle are set to enquire about signing Methalie from Toulouse in an attempt to strengthen their defensive depth.

Newcastle set to launch Methalie enquiry

Still just 19 years old, Methalie is far from the finished product but could at least provide some competition for Lewis Hall by arriving this month.

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As Newcastle’s injury issues continue, the teenager may not be short on opportunities at St James’ Park, either, and that should be the selling point for a player yet to reach his full potential.

League stats 25/26

Methalie

Hall

Minutes

1,160

792

Interceptions

11

13

Tackles Won

19

17

Ball Recoveries

56

44

One look at the numbers and it becomes easy to see why Newcastle are interested in Methalie. The Frenchman was dubbed “one of the best left-backs in Ligue 1” and described as “powerful” by Get French Football News journalist Alfred Frank last month. Now, he could be on his way to Tyneside.

It’s currently unclear how much Toulouse will demand to sell their left-back, but it’s a deal that Newcastle should be all over if the right price emerges this month. Howe needs depth across his backline and Methalie would offer exactly that.

England 253 and 467 for 7 dec beat New Zealand 168 and 431 (Southee 77*, Taylor 74, Bell 69, Fleming 66, Panesar 6-126) by 121 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out

	Monty Panesar claimed a career-best 6 for 126 on the final day © Getty Images

England secured their first overseas series victory in three years with a convincing 121-run win in Napier, even though they were delayed by a thrilling onslaught from New Zealand’s impressive debutant, Tim Southee, who clubbed his country’s fastest Test half century off 29 balls and finished on 77 off 40 deliveries with nine sixes. However, Monty Panesar was the final-day match-winner and ended with career-best 6 for 126 despite a late mauling from Southee.It was an enjoyable end to a series that has been played in fine spirit. Southee’s display gives New Zealand something to cling to after a summer that has seen their resources stretched to breaking point by various departures. For a while his mighty swinging after lunch rekindled memories of Nathan Astle’s onslaught at Christchurch seven years ago. He took 41 off two Panesar overs on his way to a fifty, and then continued to swing hard when England went back to pace. But when he lost the strike in Ryan Sidebottom’s comeback over he left Chris Martin five balls to face and it only took four as Sidebottom, England’s outstanding bowler of series, fittingly finished the match by plucking out the off stump for his 24th wicket.Although some of England’s cricket has been far from impressive it’s a commendable fightback after going 1-0 down after their humiliation in Hamilton. They also had to fight back from a disastrous start in this match when they slumped to 4 for 3 on the first morning. A number of players have rehabilitated themselves after lean spells, notably Andrew Strauss with his 177 and today it was the turn of Panesar, who continued his probing display from the fourth day even if he was clinging to his career-best at the end.This was his seventh five-wicket haul and first for nine Tests dating back to his successful series against West Indies last year. He finished the Sri Lanka tour before Christmas with a few questions being raised over his effectiveness and this match-winning contribution is a timely boost. Panesar’s role in the second innings was crucial because there was nothing in the surface for the quick bowlers.New Zealand raced out of the blocks against the new ball as Michael Vaughan set attacking fields. Ross Taylor took three boundaries off Sidebottom’s opening over and a slew of shots took him to fifty off 85 balls and carried him top of the series run chart. With New Zealand searching for someone to replace Stephen Fleming’s runs, Taylor has a huge role to play. He also took a positive route against Panesar, but then one gripped a little and took the outside edge for Paul Collingwood to take a sharp low catch at slip.The sixth-wicket stand was worth 104 with Brendon McCullum for once being overshadowed, providing 38 of the partnership, and after cutting a short ball from Panesar through point he was beaten on the back foot by a quicker delivery. Sidebottom and Stuart Broad looked tired after their earlier exertions , while Jeetan Patel showed there were few demons even for a limited batsman as he twice drove Sidebottom straight down the ground.Patel and Daniel Vettori added a comfortable 48 in 14 overs with threat only coming from one end. Panesar broke through again when Patel swept firmly to backward square-leg and was well held by Broad diving low to his right. Vettori flayed away merrily while he could before providing James Anderson with his first wicket of a disappointing match when he gloved a pull. It came in rather curious circumstances as the previous delivery had been called dead ball to Anderson’s annoyance, but he made the next delivery count.With Martin the last man it looked as though England would be able to celebrate over lunch. Anderson struck him a nasty blow on the helmet with the first ball of the final over, but Martin then squeezed a single. Southee swung the last delivery before the break onto the midwicket stand roof, a prelude to what was to follow as 71 runs came off 6.5 overs. It was far too late to save this series, but Southee is part of the young brigade who will have a key role to play when these two teams meet up again, at Lord’s, in six week’s time.

Nasim Ashraf, appointed chairman of PCB by President Musharraf, has had strong words thrown at him by the Senator © AFP

Enver Baig, member of Senate’s Standing Committee on Sports, has requested the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to order an audit into the accounts of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Baig, who recently had a lawsuit filed against him by Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, for using indecent remarks against him, sent a letter to the PAC chairman detailing his request. “There are numerous voices accusing the PCB of misusing funds to the detriment of the improvement of cricket in Pakistan,” Baig wrote in the letter.”If the present trend continues, the PCB coffers will be depleted to nil. It is therefore requested that the accounts of the PCB since July 1999 to date be scrutinised and audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan,” he added.In an interview earlier, Baig had announced plans to go on a hunger-strike to protest against ‘false promises’ made by the chairman with regards to the implementation of the constitution. He also termed Ashraf “the most incompetent official in the PCB”.”Seeing an incompetent and dishonest man like Nasim Ashraf running cricket, which is our national passion, makes my heart weep,” Baig had told .It was in response to Baig’s comments that the PCB decided to file a lawsuit which, in turn, prompted Baig to file a privilege motion against Ashraf for labeling him a ‘sick mind’.Baig has in the past grilled the previous board administration, under Shaharyar Khan, over similar issues in the Senate, including the continual non-implementation of the constitution.

First Division

Craig Spearman: the first Championship century of the season © Getty Images

This wouldn’t happen in the Premiership. Lancashire, newly promoted from the second division, set the pace on the opening day of their encounter with last season’s runners-up, Hampshire, at Old Trafford. By the close, Hampshire were clinging to the wreckage of their innings on 139 for 7, with Sean Ervine and Shaun Udal the not-out batsmen. Lancashire’s pacemen were the stars of the day, even without the services of their England pair, James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood. Glenn Chapple took two wickets and the England Under-19 medium-pacer, Tom Smith, picked up 3 for 29 in his second first-class outing, as Hampshire shipped wickets at regular intervals all day. Dominick Thorneley top-scored with 31.Second DivisionSomerset were made to struggle for their wickets after winning the toss and choosing to bowl, as Craig Spearman racked up the first Championship century of the season for Gloucestershire at Bristol. Spearman and his opening partner, Phil Weston, added 135 for the first wicket, before Peter Trego made his first breakthrough of the season. At 196 for 1, Gloucestershire were cruising, but a collapse of three wickets for 15 runs redressed the balance somewhat, with the old England team-mates, Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Caddick, combining to dismiss Matt Windows for 20. By the close, however, Gloucestershire were back on course, with Alex Gidman and Ian Harvey well set in an unbeaten 53-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Greg Chappell inspects the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore © Getty Images

On how it felt to finally be in India
It feels good. I’m delighted to be here. The last two weeks were spent getting organised to come here. So to come to the stadium [Chinnaswamy] this morning, it felt like the cricket was not far away.On how he viewed the task that lay ahead
I’ve got the opportunity of working with some of the best cricketers in the world. I’ve got some ideas which I talked about in my presentation to the board. The contents have been widely discussed, and you probably know more about it than I do now [laughs].On whether he felt that the coach should have a say in selection
I have an open mind on the subject. At some point, I’d like to sit down with the selection panel and find out what their views are, and discuss some philosophies that I have. Having worked as a selector for Australia, and interacted with the players, I know that what we want is not very different most of the time.On whether the lack of form of certain players worried him
I’m not overly concerned. You don’t lose the talent at this level. And I’ve found that the best learning experiences are when you’re going through tough times.On how he saw the captain’s role, in contrast to the coach
I’ve always maintained that the captain is the most important individual in a cricket team. He’s the one out in the middle with the players, the one who knows what’s going on. The coach needs to have a good working relationship with him. But the coach’s job is about preparation and planning. On game days, the captain’s the main man. Yes, there will be times when you may have to go to the captain with a suggestion or two, but by and large, your role is to support the team.On whether a non-performing captain should be retained
You have to understand that not many players have what it takes to succeed at this level. I’d much rather give someone a game too many or a tour too many than one too few. Such players are not easy to find. And it’s up to the rest of the team to cover for someone who’s out of form. It will happen. No matter how good you are, there will be periods when you’re out of form. My views on captaincy are pretty strong. I believe that you pick the best team, and then pick the best person to captain it. If the man is charge is not the best man, then someone else should get it.On whether the Indians played too much cricket
The busy schedule is part of international cricket now. To deal with that, you need a good squad. There will be injuries, and there will be loss of form, so you have to deal with that. We have to work on mental and physical preparation and the management of injuries.On whether he would ask for a bowling coach
Discussions are going on with the board as far as support staff are concerned. If we need one, I’m happy to have a bowling coach, but it’s not a top priority at the moment. In different times and conditions, we might call upon experts to help us, and not just with the bowling.On how he planned to deal with the media attention
It’s part of the job profile, as it is in most countries. It’s just that this is a bigger country. The scrutiny is quite strong, as is the love of the game. Emotions tend to run high here, and it sometimes seems that the well-being of the country rides on the performance of the cricket team [smiles]. Anyhow, I can’t read what you write [referring to the vernacular media].On whether an Australian approach is needed here
Every culture is different, and so is each individual. I’ll just make sure we focus on executing the basic skills extraordinarily well. You can’t transplant a format that works in one country and expect it to work just as well in another. Sometimes I feel we try to complicate what’s actually very simple. No matter what the culture, the team that performs the basics well most consistently is the team that will win most of the time. And that’s what we’ve got to aim for.On tough love, which characterised his playing days, and whether it was needed with this Indian team
I think you need 15 to 20 guys who are focussed on the job. There are some guys who just aren’t capable of that. We just have to identify those that are.On whether he felt that the players were distracted by too many endorsements
It’s probably not my job to decide that. They’re entitled to their endorsements as long as they deal with them in their own time.On how he planned to deal with “difficult” individuals
I’ve been involved with some fairly strong-willed characters right from my playing days, guys like Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. All they want is to perform well. It’s up to you to create an environment where they can express themselves as individuals while still being part of a team framework.His views on the preparation of pitches in India
I believe that cricket needs a range of conditions to give everyone a chance to shine. My view is that wherever you play, whether it be England, Australia or India, the conditions should be the best possible at that arena.How he defines excellence
It’s a commitment to doing the things that are necessary. One bad session can make a difference. We have to apply ourselves the whole time that we’re on the field. I read years ago that concentration is the ability to focus on what is important at that moment.On whether Sachin Tendulkar’s injury bothered him
I’d imagine that it’s more of a concern for Sachin. But we have to make do with the talent available. It’s an opportunity for someone else, and who knows, you might just unearth the next Indian cricketing champion. In that sense, it could be a blessing in disguise. Now, don’t twist my words because I’m not for a minute suggesting that it suits Indian cricket to have Sachin injured [smile].

Those fine Australians are still the best Test side and are world-beaters in limited-overs cricket. But there is one important aspect of modern cricketing life they have yet to master: writing books.It is possible for the contemporary cricketer to write well. Mike Atherton’s is a good example. It fulfilled most of the criteria readers want when they hand over a few pounds for such a book: dressing-room gossip, forthright opinion and insight into the way the game is played at its best. But with these two books Australian Captain Past and Australian Captain Future show they are not there yet.

There is, of course, an argument that we should expect little from sportsmen who write and, if we buy their books, we get what we deserve. After all, they are cricketers not authors and it would be surprising if Vikram Seth or Terry Pratchett was a master of the slash drive for six over point. But, professionally, they do at least stick to what they are good at.Steve Waugh’s slim effort is the better. Most of it recalls his hundred against England at the SCG last winter, when he believed he was batting to save his career. Remember the Richard Dawson off-break he belted through extra cover to bring up his ton from the last ball of the day? He was already breathing the rarefied air of a man who had scored 10,000 Test runs and on 98, as the shadows from the stand touched the square, he hit the boundary that meant he had equalled Don Bradman’s total of 29 Test centuries.Apart from Waugh’s own thoughts analysis of the innings comes from his team-mates Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist. Nasser Hussain was also asked to comment. He reveals that, as he congratulated Waugh, he wanted to tell him how much he was admired and respected by the England side. But all that came out was “well batted”.

Gilchrist and Langer provide the “mateship” that seems inescapable in books written about Australia’s cricket team. In Ricky Ponting’s World Cup Diary the “mateship” is served up in bucketfuls. Everyone in the squad has a nickname, so the air is thick with mention of Bing, Brute and Buck, Boof, Mabo and Marto, TJ and Tugga. But, despite the hours spent together and even though much of Ponting’s book is set in the dressing room and team bus and on the practice ground, his portraits of the Australian squad are rarely more than superficial.The momentum in his diary comes from Australia getting to the final and winning the World Cup. He was fortunate that the competition gave him two other outstanding talking points: whether to boycott the game in Zimbabwe (“not a place I’d like to go on my holidays”) and the implications of Shane Warne’s failed drugs test.Like Kim Hughes and the former Prime Minister Bob Hawke before him Warney kept up a fine Australian tradition when he wept in public while confessing to his team-mates that he had been popping his mum’s slimming pills. An embarrassed silence followed and Ponting, perhaps inappropriately in the circumstances, suggested they should break for something to eat before discussing the consequences.Between matches Ponting likes life low-key. He relaxes by playing golf or browsing the equipment in golfing stores. If the shops are closed, he will go out for a quiet meal with his law student wife, Rianna. Sadly her nickname remains a secret.Waugh has now written 11 books and the publishers are wrong to say this is his most important. That will be the book he inevitably writes now that he has retired. To do his career justice it needs to be as shrewd and spicy as the recollections of his one-time rival, Atherton.As for Waugh’s successor, the idea of another 10 books is sobering. With luck the seven iron will prove a mightier distraction than the pen.

Queenslander Martin Love compiled a stylish century against South Australia as the Pura Cup leaders dominated the opening day of the top of the table clash here today.Love’s elegant unbeaten 120 steered the Bulls to a commanding 2-257 at stumps.The right hander was in complete control of the Redbacks from the moment he stepped on to a sweltering Adelaide Oval today – after just one ball of the match.Love strode to the crease after Redbacks paceman Mark Harrity trapped Bulls opener Jerry Cassell lbw for a golden duck with the initial delivery of the match.But SA had to wait more than three hours before experiencing success again as Love joined acting captain Jimmy Maher to thwart the home bowlers.Maher, assuming the leadership in the absence of Stuart Law (broken finger) and playing his 100th first-class match for Queensland, also appeared set for a biginnings before being dismissed for 66 from the bowling of emerging quick Paul Rofe.Inexperienced right hander Brendan Nash then joined the veteran Love and combined in an unbroken 119-run partnership for the third wicket.Love, who displayed immaculate placement and concentration during a patient innings, registered his century from 243 deliveries which included nine fours.He remained not out 120 at stumps with Nash unbeaten on 59.Rofe toiled manfully in hot conditions, sending down 21 overs for a return of 1-54 while Harrity claimed 1-57 from 17 overs.Queensland took a two-point lead over SA into this fixture at the top of the cup table.

Resuming the day on 310/6, Hyderabad succumbed to 349 all out andconceded the first innings lead to Andhra in their Ranji Trophyencounter at the Kurnool Stadium on Saturday. At the end of the day,the match ended in a draw and Andhra bagged five points to Hyderabad’sthree by virtue of having secured the first innings lead. Hyderabadfinished with 25 points to their credit and are in second place in theSouth Zone standings. Tamil Nadu with 26 points finished on top whileKarnataka with 24 points took third place.Overnight, Vinay Kumar was unbeaten on 83 and JS Yadav kept himcompany with 21. Unable to reach what would have been a memorablecentury, Vinay Kumar fell at 332 and his the first wicket to fall onthe fourth day. Falling just three runs short of his century, VinayKumar spent a shade less than five hours at the crease. In his carefulessay, he struck eleven boundaries. After Vinay Kumar departed, theHyderabad team added just 27 runs before being all out. This gaveAndhra a 37-run lead.Coming in to bat the second time around, Andhra found the going tough.GN Srinivas at the top of the innings played a lone hand of 88 (172minutes, 130 balls, 14 fours) while all other batsmen failed to makean impact. Shivaji Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief for Hyderabadclaiming seven of the nine wickets to fall on the day. The 24-year-oldoffspinner bowled a majority of the overs, ending up with 7/70 off his28 overs. Ghouse Baba picked up the other two wickets to fall andAndhra were 193/9 when time ran out.

	Mushtaq Ahmed is caught in the ICL web and his season with Sussex is in doubt © Getty Images

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) is stepping in to help make sense of the conflict that has developed between the ECB and the Indian Cricket League (ICL). A number of county players are effected by the ECB’s recent tough stance against ‘unofficial events’ and face the prospect of bans if they return to the ICL.Chris Read, Paul Nixon, Darren Maddy and Vikram Solanki all played in the first ICL tournament last year and, although that won’t impact on their domestic future, they have been warned that if they return a one-year ban will be imposed. Overseas players are also caught in the middle with Shane Bond, Jason Gillespie, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Mushtaq Ahmed unlikely to gain the No Obligation Certificates they require from their home boards.”The ECB have recently announced profound regulatory and policy changes with regard to players’ participation in unauthorised cricket,” said a PCA statement. “Several cricketers, including a number who are currently playing in ICL and have connections to English counties, have expressed serious reservations about the changes themselves, the rationale for them and the ultimate consequences for players and have asked for the PCA’s help and advice.”The ECB have been keen to ward off the threat of the ICL while getting on board with the Indian Premier League (IPL). Although no England players will be involved in the first IPL tournament which starts next month, that is set to change in the future even though it could impact the domestic season.”The PCA is about to begin pre-season meetings with every county squad and will be able to comment further in early April after it has discussed all of these complex issues with its members in detail,” they added.”In the best interests of its members and the game in England and Wales, the PCA will work with the individual players, the ECB and the counties to try to resolve the many outstanding individual player issues created by the ECB’s recent decisions and regulatory changes.”Around 20 players due to participate in county cricket this coming season are directly affected, and the longer-term consequences for all players are not yet fully understood. The PCA are optimistic that honest and open dialogue with all stakeholders will ensure the best outcome for the sport.”