‘Personality’ the key for Celtic boss Nancy when it comes to new signings

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy insists personality will be a central consideration when he contemplates bringing fresh recruits to the Scottish champions.

The Frenchman took over at the Glasgow giants earlier this month and has been looking at his squad ahead of the January transfer window.

Celtic are currently second in the Scottish Premiership table, six points behind leaders Hearts but with a game in hand over the Edinburgh club.

“We have a lot of ability in terms of the way we play,” said Nancy ahead of Saturday’s match away to bottom-of-the-table Livingston.

“It is important that when you sign players, they need to have personality,” the former Columbus Crew boss added.

“This (Celtic) is a big club. To play here is not always easy. It is so, so important to have players who can play here at a club like this.”

Nancy added Celtic defender Kieran Tierney was an example of the type of player he admired.

“Everybody knows Kieran,” he said. “I knew him before I came here. He’s an important player for us. There are different kinds of personalities. Kieran is not a vocal leader but shows on the pitch.

“Callum (Celtic captain Callum McGregor) also shows on the pitch but he’s a vocal leader too. We have other players like this.

“When I talk about personalities, it’s not only to be vocal, it’s to have the right attitude when it is difficult.

“This means when we attack, can we keep showing ourselves for each other, can we still press, or can we defend like crazy in the moment? It’s more about the attitude for me. This is what I am looking for.”