Wilfried Nancy's dream Celtic XI with fully fit squad and two transfers as head coach goes all out attack

He looks like contender number one - but what could Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic really look like in full form?

The Columbus Crew head coach has been named the primary target of the Parkhead board to take over from Brendan Rodgers. His work in the MLS has been highly rated and one of his first jobs will be to cut Hearts’ gap at the top of the Premiership, alongside Europa League involvement. There’s also the small matter of a Premier Sports Cup final with St Mirren.

So what would Nancy’s team look like? For starters, he plays a three at the back system. Manuel Veth, Area Manager in North America at Transfermarkt, said: “At first glance, 1.8 points-per-game average isn't that outstanding, but in a salary cap-based league in which there is lots of parity, the average is actually incredible. Primarily playing a 3-4-2-1 system, the Crew are also incredible to watch. Nancy is not just a fan of good football, but he also gets his players to buy into the system. He also makes his teams better than the sum of all parts. In many ways, his background in university soccer still shines through. Nancy is a teacher who can transport his message well, making all his players better every single day."

He’s got injuries to deal with and the transfer window is coming up, so the team he starts with might not be his ideal picture, but that could come into play closer to the summer. So with everyone fully fit and a couple of winter transfers added, what would Nancy’s ideal Celtic team look like? We take a look.

GK - Angus Gunn

An opening of knee ligaments injury perhaps a concern but Kasper Schmeichel won’t be a long-term option at the age of 39. Scotland’s number one between the sticks is Nottingham Forest’s third choice and is linked with the Hoops. A possible chance for him to secure a World Cup spot, if Scotland get there?

RCB - Cameron Carter Vickers

Injured until the spring but American international will no doubt feature in Nancy’s plans once back to fitness.

CB - Liam Scales

Irish international has support from two vastly experienced stars either side of him in a back three.

LCB - Kieran Tierney

Academy product moved from full-back into a role he plays at international level.

RWB - Alistair Johnston

Nancy knows all about the currently injured Canadian, having coached him at Montreal. The full-back knows what will be required.

CM - David Watson

Solidifying a staple of midfield has been hard to come by, despite regularity here for the likes of Reo Hatate and Arne Engels. Killie’s David Watson has been linked as a target with his contract at Rugby Park expiring and he’d provide an all action approach with a man down in terms of engine room numbers.

CM - Callum McGregor

Captain is a starter no matter the formation, you would think. More asked of him here though.

LWB - Marcelo Saracchi

Uruguayan gets the licence to be the out and out wing-back for Nancy. Probably suits his attacking style.

CAM - Sebastian Tounekti

The number 10s in essence will almost be like wingers and the summer recruit from Hammarby is a direct option with pace. Has tools to shine in this system.

CAM - Jota

Perhaps controversial to leave Benjamin Nygren out but if given time to get fully fit, the tricks and skill of the Portuguese favourite are too much to leave out.

ST - Daizen Maeda

Will he be here for the long haul? It doesn’t look likely but to get the required star power in this team, you can’t leave the Japanese forward out.