The Frenchman has lost his first three games including a surprise Premier Sports Cup final defeat to St Mirren
14:24, 16 Dec 2025Updated 19:34, 16 Dec 2025
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Defiant Wilfried Nancy has told his Celtic cynics they can “say what they want” as he searches for his first win as boss.
After three consecutive defeats pressure is ramping up on the Frenchman after just 10 days. Hearts stretched their lead at the top of the table with a win in Glasgow’s east end, before Roma demolished the Hoops in the Europa League at Celtic Park. The Scottish champions would then be seen off at Hampden by St Mirren as Stephen Robinson’s side claimed the Premier Sports Cup.
The dismal run comes after Parkhead icon Martin O’Neill won seven out of the eight games after he was brought back to following Brendan Rodgers‘ surprise resignation with Nancy shaking up the formation. But the dismal run has seen some creeping concerns emerge with pundits like Charlie Mulgrew doubting if the former Columbus Crew boss will get it right in Glasgow’s east end.
Asked about the reaction from pundits and former players after his three-game nightmare, Nancy said: “This is a normal reaction. Don’t forget that I come from Europe and I know the way it works, and to be fair in the MLS it’s the same – not with the same intensity, obviously.
“But, I have been a player also and I have no problem with that. They can say what they want. After that, do I accept it or not? That is not the topic, the topic is to be good with my players, to be good in the practice and to be good at winning games.”
He added: “I don’t have to prove anything to anybody, simple as that. I have to just be confident in my team and do my job as best I can, and things will turn – not on my side – but be more positive.
“I knew before I came here that things could be difficult. This is the first time for everyone to have a coach who comes in the middle of the season like this, so I knew it could be a lot of adversity but I am really happy to be here. I do my job as best I can and after that things will go in a more positive way.”
Wilfried Nancy and Reo Hatate at the full-time whistle(Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)
The Celtic stars are still coming to terms with the shake up in football philosophy after O’Neill’s tenure – with Nancy implementing a 3-4-3 system.
But Nancy insists he is seeing improvements behind the scenes at Lennoxtown. He went on: “It’s the beginning. For me, the most important thing is to get the connection with the players.
“Let them know what I do, and why I do what I do. To defend, we want to compete.
“Everyday I see improvement. For you, you cannot see it because you are not with me but for me why I am really confident is I can see something really interesting. It’s step by step towards what I would like to do, yes.”