The pressure at Celtic is growing by the game, and while many questions surround the club’s current turmoil, not all of them should be aimed solely at head coach Wilfried Nancy. After a fourth consecutive defeat — a damaging 2-1 loss away to Dundee United — Celtic find themselves in a deepening crisis, on and off the pitch.

At this stage, it is not just Celtic’s performances that are difficult to watch. Nancy’s post-match explanations are becoming increasingly painful. Each defeat is followed by insistence on progress, improvement, and belief — claims that ring hollow against the backdrop of results and growing supporter disillusionment.

Nancy spoke of “good performances,” urged fans to “keep the faith,” and suggested Celtic were “close to winning.” Yet these words now land in an environment where belief is rapidly evaporating. Around the club, scepticism has replaced patience, and the gap between rhetoric and reality is widening with every loss.

A Damaging Run of Results Raises Alarms

The cold facts are damning. Across his final months at Columbus Crew and his disastrous start at Celtic, Nancy has managed just three wins in his last 16 matches. Defeats in Scotland against Dundee United, St Mirren, Roma and Hearts follow a string of losses in Major League Soccer, where his Columbus side finished a distinctly average seventh after winning just 14 of 34 games.

For a manager once named MLS Coach of the Year, that trajectory raises serious doubts. His reputation was burnished by one standout season, but the overall body of work that led to his appointment at Celtic looks thin for a club of this size, expectation, and volatility.

How Did Nancy Get the Celtic Job?

That question may ultimately prove more significant than whether Nancy survives the next few weeks. What recruitment process led Celtic to identify him as their “number one candidate”? Who else was interviewed? How deeply were his credentials scrutinised?

These details remain opaque. What is known is that Nancy worked closely with Kwame Ampadu at Columbus, and that Ampadu has long-standing links with Celtic’s director of football operations, Paul Tisdale. Tisdale, an influential but publicly silent figure, has significant sway over recruitment decisions at the club, yet remains largely shielded from scrutiny.

If Nancy was recommended internally, on what footballing evidence was that judgment made? Four games into his Celtic reign — four defeats, three goals scored, and 10 conceded — the appointment already looks alarmingly ill-judged.

Responsibility Extends Beyond the Manager

While frustration among supporters is understandable, the blame does not lie with Nancy alone. The structural issues at Celtic predate his arrival and extend to those responsible for recruitment, strategy, and governance.

The summer transfer window left the squad unbalanced and underpowered, forcing inexperienced players into critical roles. Nancy cannot be blamed for missed sitters or the absence of key figures like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston and Jota. However, there is little evidence that even a fully fit squad would be thriving under his current approach.

Tactically, Celtic appear confused. Selection choices lack clarity. Players look short on confidence and direction. Time and again, opponents have identified Celtic’s weaknesses and exploited them, particularly when matches become physical or chaotic. In each case, Nancy has been outmanoeuvred.

Fan Anger, Boardroom Turmoil, and a Club in Distress

The wider environment only amplifies the pressure. Peter Lawwell’s impending departure as chairman — citing abuse and threats toward his family — highlights a deeply unhealthy atmosphere around the club. While criticism is part of football, the escalation into intimidation reflects a support base pushed to breaking point.

Celtic now sit in a place defined by dysfunction rather than dominance. On the pitch, performances lack authority. Off it, communication is poor, accountability unclear, and leadership questioned.

Time Running Out as Aberdeen Loom

Nancy speaks like a man who believes he has time. The reality is harsher. At Celtic, winning is non-negotiable. Style, process, and long-term projects only matter if results follow. With Aberdeen visiting next, followed by a brutal run that includes Rangers, the margin for error has vanished.

There is sympathy for a manager who appears overwhelmed by the scale of the job and the chaos surrounding it. Yet logic suggests he is already on borrowed time. Whether Celtic’s hierarchy will act decisively — or repeat past mistakes — remains uncertain.

One thing is clear: fear has gone. Opponents now arrive believing Celtic can be beaten. For a club built on authority and expectation, that alone is a damning indictment of how far standards have slipped.