Key Highlights
- Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy expressed indifference towards a 3-0 loss to Roma in the Europa League.
- The defeat left Celtic languishing at 24th place in the standings and struggling with fan support.
- Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart criticized the club’s management, suggesting they need to unite fans and players.
- Celtic faces St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday.
A Disappointing Start for Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
The Celtic football club has faced a challenging beginning under new manager Wilfried Nancy, with his team suffering their first two consecutive defeats since his appointment. The latest setback occurred in a 3-0 loss to Roma in the Europa League, marking the first time a Celtic manager has failed to win their opening two matches.
Nancy acknowledged that the fans were disappointed after the match, but he remained confident in his team’s potential for improvement. “I respect the fans—they are really important for us,” Nancy said during an interview with TNT Sports. “They are key; they know that. We play for them, this is clear.
They were not happy with the situation so they show it. I know where we are going.” Despite the heavy defeat, Nancy saw encouraging signs in his players’ second-half performance.
Home Fans Voice Disappointment
The loss to Roma wasn’t just a blow to Celtic’s Europa League hopes but also caused significant disapproval from the home fans. The supporters booed their team off the pitch at both half-time and full-time, expressing frustration with their club’s performance in recent matches.
Nancy understood that these reactions were natural but emphasized his focus on the future: “The reality is we are not able to cope with the intensity,” he added. “I really liked the second half, good reaction. We played with a little bit more proximity between players to escape the pressure.” While the result was demoralizing, Nancy remained optimistic about his team’s progression.
Former Goalkeeper Joe Hart Speaks Out
The disappointment extended beyond just the fans and reached former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart. Hart, who played for Celtic from 2015 to 2018, was critical of the club’s current state. “It breaks my heart because I know how special these nights can be,” Hart said on TNT Sports. “But the atmosphere isn’t there; the players don’t feel like they’re playing on the edge of their abilities.” Hart blamed the management for not capitalizing on the club’s previous successes and urged them to unite the support, players, and management.
Hart’s comments reflect a broader concern about the unity within Celtic. “It feels like a soap opera,” he stated. “At the moment, they’re drifting further and further apart.” Hart highlighted that despite the financial stability of the club, there needs to be more emphasis on addressing internal issues to maintain the club’s historical success.
Looking Ahead: The Scottish League Cup Final
Celtic faces St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday. Nancy expressed his desire for positive results but acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “This is a bit difficult because I believe that my players deserve a little bit more regarding to score goals.” Despite the tough start, Nancy maintained that the belief of his players was strong and remained his top priority.
“It’s an intelligent club,” Hart added. “It’s not just about being good at football here; the club has got to address this. They’ve got to unite the support, the players, the management.” The road ahead for Celtic is uncertain but filled with opportunities for improvement and unity among all stakeholders.
