Nancy changed 'too much too soon' - McGregor

Celtic captain Callum McGregor says Wilfried Nancy tried to implement change too quickly during his ill-fated reign at Parkhead.

The French manager was in charge for just 33 days and lost six of his eight matches in charge.

After six straight wins domestically under Martin O'Neill, Nancy tried to implement a three-at-the-back formation, often playing with just one recognised centre-back.

McGregor, 32, has played for Celtic's first team for over 11 years and has won 24 major honours with the club.

Given that success, McGregor believes Nancy's move away from a tried-and-tested system without a pre-season was a mistake.

"It was probably too much too soon in terms of change," McGregor told Sky Sports.

"Obviously to go from a team that is super aggressive on the front foot for 10 plus years, the whole time I've been here pretty much.

"Playing a certain way, being asked to do things a certain way, defending in a certain way and then you bring in the nuance of the league and playing in Scotland.

"My belief is that you get as much pressure on the ball as much as you can and try and press the game as high as you can. It actually eliminates a lot of the defending that you have to do in terms of box defending.

"For me it was just a little bit too much, too soon in terms of that change and quite a big change away from what the team had been.

"Not to say that it can't work, but I think everybody's well aware of the time and no pre-season and so many games, so many important games.

"It's a really, really tough situation to come in and have a game every three days where you're almost learning in the game.

"We all know that trying to learn in this environment is probably the harshest environment that you can have."

McGregor insists the players stayed united during Nancy's tenure and called for a forward-thinking approach as Celtic target both the Premiership title and Scottish Cup under interim boss Martin O'Neill.

They are six points behind league-leaders Hearts on Sunday, who they face on Sunday at Tynecastle having already lost twice to Derek McInnes' side this season.

"What I will say is the one thing that did strike me about the whole thing was how much the players stayed together," McGregor said.

"It is really unfortunate that it didn't work out [under Nancy], but I think we have to draw a line under it now.

"There's been so many negative stories going about this season. There actually is so much positive to look forward to, so much to play for.

"The players have drawn a line under it, so I think now for everyone externally as well, we have to draw a line under it and move forward, because if we keep dwelling on it, we aren't going to achieve what it is we want to achieve.

"The players are at peace with that and we know we've put ourselves in a difficult position, and we have a huge game to come on Sunday."