Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has issued a passionate and defiant plea for patience as he prepares for his first Old Firm derby against Rangers, insisting that his vision for the club needs time to take shape.
The Frenchman, appointed at the start of December following the departure of interim boss Martin O’Neill, has endured a turbulent beginning to life at Celtic Park, losing five of his first seven matches in charge. Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Motherwell intensified scrutiny from supporters and pundits alike, placing Nancy firmly under the spotlight ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes encounter with Rangers.
Pressure Mounts Ahead of Celtic v Rangers Clash
Saturday’s Scottish Premiership showdown arrives at a crucial moment in Celtic’s season. Nancy’s side currently sit three points behind league leaders Hearts and three points ahead of Rangers, making the Old Firm fixture pivotal in shaping the title race.
Despite mounting criticism, Nancy was adamant during a striking media conference that he retains the full backing of the club hierarchy.
“The board is with me, the club is with me, and the players are with me,” he said.
The former Columbus Crew head coach stressed that the circumstances surrounding his arrival must be considered when evaluating early results, pointing to limited preparation time and the challenge of implementing new ideas mid-season.
“Give Me Time” – Nancy Defends His Methods
Nancy repeatedly returned to one central theme: time.
“As you know, I need time. Give me time and you’re going to see what I do,” he said.
“I didn’t start yesterday. You can already see what I did before.”
He acknowledged the dissatisfaction among supporters but accepted responsibility for the team’s current form.
“I’m not pleased to hear people don’t like me, but they have the right to say it. In terms of results, this is not what we want.”
Nancy revealed he has conducted just 13 training sessions with the squad since taking charge—far short of the four-week pre-season he believes is typically required to embed tactical ideas.
“It’s totally normal that you guys kill me. I’m fine with that because I know where I want to go.”
Results vs Performances: Nancy’s Key Argument
While results have been poor, Nancy argued that performances have not always reflected the outcomes.
“Judge me, no problem, but analyse the games since I’ve been here. Look if we should have won or lost.”
He admitted confusion among players during the transitional phase but insisted this was an inevitable part of change.
“My players need time and are confused at certain moments. It’s a process.”
Although wary of hiding behind the word “process,” Nancy stood firm that meaningful progress cannot be rushed—especially in the unforgiving environment of Scottish football.
A Manager Willing to “Die” for Celtic
Perhaps the most striking moment of the press conference came when Nancy spoke emotionally about his commitment to the club.
“I want to win titles. I want to create a legacy here. I am going to die for this club, for sure.”
The 47-year-old accepted that, for now, results limit his ability to speak confidently about success.
“For the moment, I cannot talk because results are not good enough. I shut my mouth and I take it.”
Yet his belief in the long-term direction remains unshaken.
“I know where we are going. Whether it works or not, I don’t know—but we are going to do everything to make it work.”
Old Firm Derby: A Defining Moment
Nancy’s first Celtic v Rangers Old Firm derby represents more than just three points—it is an early referendum on his leadership. A positive result could ease pressure and win over doubters, while defeat would intensify calls for immediate improvement.
Kick-off is at 12:30 GMT on Saturday at Celtic Park, with live coverage across BBC Radio Scotland, the BBC Sport website and app, and highlights later on BBC Scotland and iPlayer.
For Nancy, the message is clear: trust the vision, trust the process, and—above all—give him time.
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