Wilfried Nancy has once again found himself at the centre of attention following Celtic’s 2-1 defeat at Tannadice, this time for comments that drew an unexpected comparison between the pressures of managing Celtic and almost signing for Carlisle as a player.
The backdrop could hardly be more unforgiving. Celtic’s run of defeats has seen ground lost in the title race, confidence drain from the stands, and patience erode rapidly.
For a club where standards are relentlessly high, four consecutive losses represent a historic low point, and one that inevitably sharpens every word uttered by the manager.
Nancy’s comments were made as he responded to questions around Scottish football, its physical demands, and whether he fully understood the environment he had stepped into.
His answer appeared designed to demonstrate familiarity and resilience, but instead introduced a personal anecdote that has since become a lightning rod for criticism.
At a time when Celtic supporters are demanding clarity, authority, and tangible progress, the reference to Carlisle has been viewed by many as a distraction from the immediate crisis.
With results deteriorating and scrutiny intensifying, the margin for misjudged messaging is slim.
He said: (TCW), “No, no. I know Scottish football. I know the way it is. I come from France. I come from Europe.
“I was close, when I was a player, to signing with Carlisle, so I know exactly who I am. I know that Scottish football is physical. I know there is a lot of intensity. I know there is a lot of fight. And referees don’t whistle a lot. I know that.
“I think that, again, since I came here, it’s not like we have been off the mark. But in terms of results, because that’s how you judge it, you are talking like this, and I take it. But at the end of the day, I think that we are improving.
“Tonight is a perfect example of what we should have done, or could have done, to win this game. But we have to do better in those situations.”
Nancy’s attempt to frame his understanding of Scottish football through personal experience may have been well intentioned, but the timing has undermined the message.
With Celtic enduring their worst run of results in decades, supporters are unlikely to find reassurance in anecdotes from a playing career, particularly when the present problems feel so acute.
The suggestion that Celtic have not been “off the mark” sits uncomfortably alongside the reality of four straight defeats.
While performances have contained promising spells, results remain the only currency that matters at Celtic, especially during periods of sustained pressure. Repeated references to improvement risk sounding detached when they are not backed up by points.
There is also a growing sense that Nancy is underestimating the emotional temperature around the club. Scottish football may indeed be physical and intense, but managing Celtic brings a different kind of demand altogether.
It is not simply about understanding the league, but about recognising when words will resonate and when they will inflame.
At this stage of his tenure, Nancy’s comments are beginning to feel beyond naïve. Supporters are not questioning whether he understands Scottish football in theory; they are questioning whether he understands Celtic in practice.
With history already being made due to the run of defeats, every public statement now carries added weight.
17th December 2025; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee United versus Celtic; Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy gives advice to Daizen Maeda of Celtic
Until results change, comparisons to near-misses at Carlisle will only deepen the disconnect between the manager and a support desperate for reassurance grounded in the here and now.
