The latest news from Celtic and Rangers as both clubs go through a season-defining period of transition

Celtic are on the verge of confirming the appointment of Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy as their new head coach.

Reports from a number of sources including journalist Graeme Bailey explain that an official announcement is likely to be made before the weekend , althought the French-Canadian coach may not take the reins at Parkhead until after games against Feyenoord in the Europa League tomorrow and Hibs in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Nancy inherits a team that have won the Scottish Premiership four times in a row, but also faces challenges in other aspects as he steps into an atmosphere of signficant discord between the supporters and the board, with protests ongoing against key figures like major shareholder Dermot Desmond, chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson, among others.

O’Neill has advised the incoming coach to try and distance himself from this unrest and focus solely on the football. He said: "I think that the new manager coming in, I think that he should divorce himself from all those proceedings. This is a fresh start for him. He hasn't been party to anything that's happened in recent times.

So just let's say it was me and I'd never manage the football club again, I'd be saying, 'yeah, that's got nothing to do with me'. I have to try and win some football games and then maybe at some stage or another, if we can get a real team together that can go and compete, not just domestically, but obviously in European football.

"Well, that would be his job. Absolutely, but he's got a fresh start. He's going in to step into something that really has been none of his concern. And that's the way I would be approaching it. And it's not like passing the buck. It's just saying, well, sorry, that's not my making. My making now is to put Celtic back in the game.”

Wilfried Nancy beats Champions League boss to Celtic job

Nancy arrives at Celtic as something of an unknown quantity despite his strong track record in both the MLS and Canada. He’s never previously managed in Europe, but despite this was always regarded as the first choice by the Hoops heirachy despite speculation linking the club with moves for coaches with Premier League and even Champions League experience.

Bailey posted on X: “Celtic expect to confirm the appointment of Columbus Crew's Wilfried Nancy as their new head coach before the weekend. Nancy emerged as their first choice ahead of Kjetil Knutsen and Kieran McKenna. “

Knutsen is currently the manager of Bodo/Glimt. They reached the Europa League semi-final last term and are now competing in the continents elite competition. He’s been commended for exceeding expectations with the Norweigen side and only narrowly missed out on a valiant point against Juventus after a dramatic Jonathan David goal in a 3-2 loss in Turin.

McKenna, meanwhile, learned the ropes as a coach at Manchester United and Tottenham before stepping into management with Ipswich Town. He led the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions before suffering relegation last term, and is currently tasked with leading the Suffolk outfit back to the big time.

Danny Röhl cited as a pivotal factor behind Rangers shakeup

New Rangers boss Danny Röhl reportedly played a massive role in the club’s decision to part ways with sporting director Kevin Thelwell and chief executive Patrick Stewart.

TEAMtalk says that sources close to the club suggest that the German tactician’s uncompromising vision for the future has exposed deep frustrations within the boardroom, particularly over recruitment failures and the ill-fated appointment of Russell Martin as a previous managerial choice.

Insiders also claim that Röhl presented the board with a detailed breakdown of recent transfer windows, highlighting a series of shortcomings in terms of signings that failed to meet his required expectations for aspects such as physicality and technical qualities. Röhl is expected to receive significant backing in the January window to put this right as he looks to build on what has so far been a promising start since his arrival.