Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy is under intense scrutiny as he prepares for the Old Firm derby against Rangers, just over four weeks after being appointed permanent manager. The French coach has endured a difficult start, losing five of his seven matches in charge, and is now navigating the high-pressure environment that comes with managing one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.
Nancy’s tenure has already included defeats to Hearts, Dundee United, Roma in the Europa League, and St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final. While back-to-back league wins against Aberdeen and Livingston provided a temporary boost, Celtic were outclassed by Motherwell in their most recent match, a 2-0 loss that amplified pressure from supporters and the media alike.
Celtic currently sit three points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, while Rangers could level with Nancy’s side with a win at Parkhead, making Saturday’s clash a critical test for the new manager.
Nancy’s Passionate Defence of Himself and the Team
At a media conference ahead of the Old Firm fixture, Nancy delivered a candid and impassioned response to questions about his methods, results, and tactical choices, with one reply lasting seven minutes.
“I know your job is to attack me, or to ask questions, no problem with that,” Nancy said. “My job is to be a coach, your job is to ask questions. If you want to judge me now, you can do it. I didn’t have the results we wanted — it’s a fact, I cannot deny that.”
Nancy appealed for patience, highlighting that he assumed responsibility for the outcomes but also acknowledging the challenges of stepping into a high-pressure situation mid-season.
“This is only the beginning,” he said. “Usually, we have four or five weeks of pre-season. I didn’t have that. The reality is, before I came, I knew if I didn’t win games, I was going to be in trouble. This is part of the job. I’m pleased to be here and I know where we are now.”
Tactical Adjustments and Early Challenges
Nancy arrived at Celtic following a turbulent period for the club. Brendan Rodgers resigned in late October amid disputes with major shareholder Dermot Desmond, after a domestic start that saw Celtic fail to qualify for the Champions League. Martin O’Neill’s interim stint stabilized results temporarily, but Nancy immediately introduced his own tactical approach, shifting from O’Neill’s 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 system.
The manager admits the team has yet to reach his desired standard.
“Have a look at the way I am as a coach, as a manager, and what I want to bring, and you will see we are not there yet,” Nancy said. “If you are patient — I know you cannot be patient in this job — you will see what I can do, my team and my players.”
Nancy also stressed the importance of giving players time to understand his methods.
“I suffer, not from criticism, because that’s part of my job,” he said. “I suffer because I know that if a player gets into a position, we can outplay the opposition, but he is not ready to do it. You don’t win, you get killed. You win, OK.”
Addressing Criticism and Results
Nancy fully acknowledges the scrutiny that comes with Celtic’s high expectations.
“I understand that perfectly and people have the right to be not happy,” he said. “I came in the middle of the season — they were winning, now we lose. I need time, and I understand Celtic is Celtic. I understand the culture, but I don’t like to promise things. What I’m going to promise is I will do everything to be consistent.”
Despite results not meeting expectations, Nancy disputes claims that his tactics are failing. He emphasized that only one of the 15 goals conceded in seven matches was directly a failure of his system.
“I want you to understand that I don’t play with a back five,” Nancy said. “I play with a back four, a back three, or sometimes a back two. The system is flexible, and the results so far don’t reflect the potential.”
The Road Ahead: Patience and Pressure
Nancy’s message to fans, the media, and club stakeholders is clear: progress takes time. While victory against Rangers could restore confidence and momentum, defeat would escalate scrutiny and questions over his future at Parkhead.
“It’s still early January and there is a long way to go in the season,” Nancy said. “Because we lost a few games, it’s like we are last. I understand the narrative — I’m not saying I accept it. I didn’t say second was good. I just gave context for where we are now. The only moment to buy time is when we win games.”
Celtic supporters will be watching closely as Nancy seeks to navigate the Old Firm derby pressure, implement his tactical vision, and build a team capable of challenging for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
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