Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has made a fervent plea for patience and context as pressure mounts on his position ahead of a pivotal Old Firm clash with Rangers this Saturday.
A Dismal Start and Mounting Pressure
The 2-0 defeat to Motherwell on Tuesday marked Nancy's fifth loss in just seven games since taking charge. The performance at Fir Park was particularly poor, intensifying scrutiny over the former Columbus Crew coach's suitability for the role at Celtic Park. Should Rangers secure a victory in the derby, they would draw level with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table, despite their own unconvincing start to the season. Both Glasgow giants currently trail Heart of Midlothian.
Nancy's Defiant Plea for Context
In a robust defence of his credentials, Nancy highlighted the challenging circumstances of his arrival. "This is only the beginning," he stated. "Usually we have four weeks of pre-season. I did not have pre-season... I need time. Give me time and you will see my team."
He directly addressed the critical media coverage, saying, "It is totally normal that you guys, you kill me. I am fine with that... Judge me in a few weeks, months." Nancy pointed to his past record and a mere 12 or 13 training sessions with the squad as reasons for the slow start, acknowledging the difficulty of changing the habits of players who have been at the club for years.
Tactical Debate and Boardroom Dilemma
A key point of contention has been Nancy's persistent use of a three-man defence, a system many pundits believe does not suit the current Celtic squad. This tactical stubbornness presents the club's board with a significant January dilemma: whether to back their manager with substantial funds for new signings or to concede an error in his appointment.
The situation is compounded by the successful interim spell of Martin O'Neill, who oversaw seven wins from eight games after Brendan Rodgers' departure in October.
A Club in Turmoil Beyond the Pitch
The crisis surrounding Nancy is just one facet of wider turmoil at Celtic. The club's board recently had to suspend its Annual General Meeting due to significant supporter unrest. The exit of former manager Brendan Rodgers was marred by a surprising public criticism from major shareholder Dermot Desmond, and chairman Peter Lawwell resigned last month, citing "threats and abuse".
This backdrop paints a picture of a club at odds with itself, where even a derby victory may only temporarily quieten the dissent.
Meanwhile, across the city, Rangers manager Danny Röhl has struck a confident tone ahead of the fixture. "We are ready," said the German. "We have a big confidence at the moment, we have a big belief." The stage is set for a high-stakes confrontation that could define the early trajectory of both clubs' seasons and Wilfried Nancy's tenure at Celtic.
