Kris Boyd is not known for offering Celtic any benefit of the doubt, which is why his latest comments have caught attention.
Speaking after Celtic’s recent run of results, the former Rangers striker suggested the fear factor around Celtic could return under Wilfried Nancy if the club strengthens in January.
Coming from one of Celtic’s most regular critics, the warning carries weight.
The comments follow back-to-back wins for Nancy’s side, with victories over Aberdeen and Livingston coming after Hearts dropped points against Hibs.
That swing in results has tightened the picture at the top and shifted some momentum. Celtic are still not settled, but they are beginning to look dangerous again.
Boyd’s focus was not just on results, but on style. He pointed to similarities between Nancy’s approach and the football Ange Postecoglou played during his time at the club.
While he noted clear differences in quality, the shape, risk, and numbers committed forward were familiar.
The timing of the comments matters. Celtic are still short in key areas and dealing with injuries, yet they are creating chances and scoring goals.
Boyd’s view is that this is not Celtic at full strength, and that should concern the rest of the league if recruitment backs the manager’s ideas.
He said: (Sky Sports), “There are similarities between Ange Postecoglou and Wilfried Nancy in terms of the numbers getting forward. Ange Postecoglou had better players at the top end of the pitch who would have killed games off. Because of that, teams could not exploit them in the same way.
“Managers are probably looking at Celtic now and thinking the players are not at that level at the moment, so they can be exploited. Every manager has to think about the best way to cause problems, especially down the sides, and ask questions of the defence.
“There isn’t really much difference in how Celtic defend under both managers. The full-backs are very high, and under Ange even one of the centre-backs stepped right into midfield. The difference was that he had better players, so the opposition rarely got the ball back.
“Right now, Celtic are in a transition period. If Wilfried Nancy brings in a couple of players at the top end of the pitch, and maybe adds quality in midfield and wide areas to suit his style, things could change.
“Chances are being created, and if that fear factor comes back, teams will drop deeper. Then long balls become harder, because players would have to run 40 or 50 yards back to stop Celtic attacking again.”
From a Celtic point of view, the key part of Boyd’s comments is not the criticism, but the warning. He accepts that Celtic are open right now and can be played against.
He also accepts that this may not last if the squad improves in the right areas.
The comparison with Postecoglou will interest supporters. The risks are similar. Full-backs push high, central defenders step forward, and space is left behind.
Under Ange, that risk was often erased because Celtic kept the ball and punished teams quickly. Boyd is arguing that the structure is close, but the execution is not there yet.
That ties into the current situation. Celtic are scoring goals but also conceding chances. Against Livingston, they were punished early.
Against Aberdeen, they had to manage spells without control. Even so, the attacking threat has been clear, and that is what Boyd is pointing to.
January now looms large. Celtic are short of options at the top end of the pitch, and injuries have made that clearer.
If reinforcements arrive that suit Nancy’s approach, the balance could shift quickly. Better decision-making in the final third would force teams to defend deeper.
Boyd’s fear factor point is simple. When Celtic dominate territory and score early, opponents stop pressing. They drop off, protect space, and play long.
That reduces the chaos and protects Celtic’s defensive risk. It is not about tactics alone, but about belief and threat.
For now, Celtic remain a work in progress. Nancy has two wins in a row and signs of progress, but also clear gaps.
The league has taken note of that, and opponents are still willing to attack them.
3DD294K Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren (left) celebrates with Kieran Tierney after scoring his sides third goal during the William Hill Premiership match at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, Livingston. Picture date: Saturday December 27, 2025.
Boyd’s warning suggests that window may not stay open. If Celtic back their manager and sharpen the top end of the team, the fear factor that defined recent seasons could return quickly.
Coming from a voice usually critical of Celtic, that may be the clearest signal yet that Nancy’s ideas are starting to land.
