Key Highlights
- Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy faces intense pressure ahead of the Old Firm derby.
- Nancy has lost five out of seven matches in charge since becoming permanent Celtic boss.
- The Frenchman appeals for patience and defends his tactics during a lengthy media conference.
- Despite results, Nancy insists he is not a back-five manager and criticizes players’ readiness to execute his system.
Nancy Defends Himself Amid Old Firm Pressure
The pressure on Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has never been higher as the club prepares for their upcoming derby match against Rangers. Nancy, who succeeded Brendan Rodgers in December, is under immense scrutiny after a series of setbacks that have left his team three points behind league leaders Hearts.
Unfavorable Start and Media Scrutiny
Nancy’s tenure began with a challenging reality: he inherited a club whose supporters were already at odds with the hierarchy. Celtic’s failure to qualify for the Champions League and early-season struggles under Rodgers’ leadership set the stage for skepticism. Despite back-to-back league victories against Aberdeen and Livingston, Nancy was quickly reminded of his team’s limitations in a 2-0 defeat by Motherwell.
Media Conference: A Defense of His Methods
Nancy’s first media conference ahead of the Old Firm derby was characterized by a passionate defense of himself and his methods. The Frenchman, known for his extensive speaking time, spent over seven minutes answering one question. Nancy acknowledged the criticism but emphasized that his players are not yet ready to execute his tactical vision fully.
“I know your job is to attack me or ask a lot of questions; no problem with that,” Nancy said during the conference, asserting that he understands the scrutiny and appreciates the connection with the fans.
He continued, “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.”
Tactics and Player Readiness
Nancy disputed any notion that his tactics are at fault, stating that only one of the 15 goals conceded in his seven matches was due to a systemic issue. He highlighted the team’s performance on set-pieces as an area for improvement. Nancy also addressed concerns about his team potentially being labeled as a “back-five” formation, insisting this characterization is inaccurate.
“I want you to understand that I don’t play with a back five,” he stated emphatically. “The way we defend most of the time is a back four or three. Sometimes it can be a back five or six, but for me this is useless to talk about that.”
Patient and Persistent
Nancy’s appeal for patience resonated with his understanding that the Old Firm rivalry carries high stakes and intense expectations from both supporters and the media. He acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining composure under such pressure but remained confident in his approach.
“I need time,” Nancy concluded, emphasizing his commitment to consistency and the long-term vision he has for Celtic’s success. “What I’m going to promise is I will do everything to be consistent. If we win games, that will change the narrative.”
The upcoming Old Firm derby at Parkhead Stadium on Saturday presents a critical moment for Nancy and his team. A victory could turn the season around, while defeat would undoubtedly intensify the scrutiny and pressure.
