The bigger picture needs to be looked at following Wilfried Nancy’s first game in charge.
Yes, it’s never acceptable to lose a game as a Celtic manager, but Nancy has just walked through the doors and patience is needed.
There is a long way to go in the Premiership title race, but there were positives to take from Celtic’s defeat to Hearts on Sunday at Parkhead.
Kieran Tierney scored a consolation goal for Celtic right at the death, and Jackie McNamara wanted to give the versatile defender his flowers.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesKieran Tierney praised despite Celtic losing Wilfried Nancy’s first game in charge
It’s interesting how Nancy went about playing his new system. All eyes were on who would be the three centre-backs, given the lack of options.
Tierney played on the left side of a back three, with Liam Scales in the middle, and Auston Trusty on the other side.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene, McNamara stated that Tierney was ‘outstanding’, and he ‘deserved’ his goal for everything he was creating down his side.
“I did think Celtic started the game really well,” said McNamara. “Hearts, in terms of possession, didn’t keep possession for 20 minutes. They then grew into the game. Scored at the right time.
“He (Nancy) isn’t focusing on it (his system after the game), but the fact that he is having to explain it a few times to see what he is wanting. He wants more players forward earlier. It looks like that.
“The system had been going well with the three up front. He’s pushed them further back into wing-backs. But I don’t think they had the width, as in they had in previous games under Martin. He’s changed, not just the system, but the personnel as well.
“You see how narrow they are. There is no real width. You look at the Dundee game. There is width, and with the fullbacks getting forward as well. There was a lot of change.
“I actually thought Tierney was outstanding. Starting as a left centre-back of a three. Getting forward. He actually got a lot of balls in. The fact that he lasted 90 minutes as well, which is a fantastic thing for him.
“He does well (for Tierney’s goal). Keeps it down, and he deserved a goal. He actually had put a fantastic cross in just before that. Pleased for Kieran getting his goal. I know it’s a consultation. But he deserved that.”
Are you concerned by Wilfried Nancy’s post-match comments?
Wilfried Nancy watches on from the touchline during Celtic vs Hearts
Credit: Getty Images/Ian MacNicol
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Tierney’s stats for Celtic against Hearts
It’s interesting if Tierney will continue in a back three, or if Nancy will deploy him more as a left-sided wing-back.
Some will argue that Celtic’s returning hero is probably better suited to that role, but going by where he played against Hearts, this is how he was rated:
Minutes played: 90Shots: 1Goals: 1Fouled: 1Key Passes: 3Accurate long balls: 5Accurate through balls: 1Blocked shots: 1Clearances: 6Aerials won: 2Touches: 110WhoScored rating: 8.04 Join Our Newsletter
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