🔗 Share this article Nancy Remains Defiant After His Team's Derby Loss to City Rivals Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has declared he is still "in unison with the board" and expresses belief that "we can turn things around" despite a concerning 3-1 defeat to Rangers, which marks a sixth loss in their last eight outings. The French manager praised an "exceptional" first-half display from his side, a period in which they went ahead through Yang Hyun-Jun and spurned several other clear chances. However, their city rivals fought back in the second period, capitalising on the home side's fragile defence with a double brace from Youssef Chermiti and a final strike from Mikey Moore. This result sees Rangers move level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could find themselves six points behind table-toppers Hearts depending on the evening result. Speaking post-match, Nancy commented, "The result was disappointing because we merited a better outcome today, but again we needed more goals." "In the second half, we let in three goals from set-pieces. It's difficult to accept, but it's the situation. This is not about the players or the tactics, this is about key instances." "This is not about me, this is about disappointing the fans because I understand the meaning of this game. I can appreciate the disappointment, but I also saw what we're able to do." "We are really close, there are many things that can turn around. If it was not the case, I would not talk like this. I truly believe we can reverse our fortunes." He finished by stressing, "We are together with the board." Pundits Deliver Blunt Assessment on Celtic's Predicament Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart offered a harsh take: "Unworkable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The disconnect between the manager and the team is so stark." "It is not something that can continue and it should not have occurred. The people on the board who allowed this should be shown the door as well. Celtic are in an complete disarray." Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner identified the problem: "The problems aren't high up the pitch for Celtic, the problems are the organisation at the back and the ability to defend." Former Rangers striker and coach Billy Dodds remarked: "As much as Rangers have done the right things in this second half, Celtic have been just woefully poor." "Celtic have just capitulated. Something has to change, there is no doubt." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton summed up: "We've seen this story before with Nancy's Celtic." "You can score, but you've got to defend. This team doesn't do that." Supporters' Views: Sympathy for Nancy But Mounting Calls for Change The full-time mood among the fanbase was one of anger and calls for change. Pete: First 45 minutes looked great, post half-time we looked like amateurs. Nancy has one way of playing and can't react. Get him out now! Iain: It's very painfully obvious that Celtic cannot play to Nancy's system. These players are not bad players all of a sudden. The answer is obvious. James: The board are completely to blame. I feel sorry for Nancy as he should never got the job in the first place, but he'll be used as the scapegoat. We don't have the players for his system. Andy: Nancy has to go. I've been one of those wanting to give him a chance, but there is no improvement. He has a formation that he refuses to alter. We've been beaten by a poor Rangers team. Nancy must go.
Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has declared he is still "in unison with the board" and expresses belief that "we can turn things around" despite a concerning 3-1 defeat to Rangers, which marks a sixth loss in their last eight outings. The French manager praised an "exceptional" first-half display from his side, a period in which they went ahead through Yang Hyun-Jun and spurned several other clear chances. However, their city rivals fought back in the second period, capitalising on the home side's fragile defence with a double brace from Youssef Chermiti and a final strike from Mikey Moore. This result sees Rangers move level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could find themselves six points behind table-toppers Hearts depending on the evening result. Speaking post-match, Nancy commented, "The result was disappointing because we merited a better outcome today, but again we needed more goals." "In the second half, we let in three goals from set-pieces. It's difficult to accept, but it's the situation. This is not about the players or the tactics, this is about key instances." "This is not about me, this is about disappointing the fans because I understand the meaning of this game. I can appreciate the disappointment, but I also saw what we're able to do." "We are really close, there are many things that can turn around. If it was not the case, I would not talk like this. I truly believe we can reverse our fortunes." He finished by stressing, "We are together with the board." Pundits Deliver Blunt Assessment on Celtic's Predicament Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart offered a harsh take: "Unworkable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The disconnect between the manager and the team is so stark." "It is not something that can continue and it should not have occurred. The people on the board who allowed this should be shown the door as well. Celtic are in an complete disarray." Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner identified the problem: "The problems aren't high up the pitch for Celtic, the problems are the organisation at the back and the ability to defend." Former Rangers striker and coach Billy Dodds remarked: "As much as Rangers have done the right things in this second half, Celtic have been just woefully poor." "Celtic have just capitulated. Something has to change, there is no doubt." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton summed up: "We've seen this story before with Nancy's Celtic." "You can score, but you've got to defend. This team doesn't do that." Supporters' Views: Sympathy for Nancy But Mounting Calls for Change The full-time mood among the fanbase was one of anger and calls for change. Pete: First 45 minutes looked great, post half-time we looked like amateurs. Nancy has one way of playing and can't react. Get him out now! Iain: It's very painfully obvious that Celtic cannot play to Nancy's system. These players are not bad players all of a sudden. The answer is obvious. James: The board are completely to blame. I feel sorry for Nancy as he should never got the job in the first place, but he'll be used as the scapegoat. We don't have the players for his system. Andy: Nancy has to go. I've been one of those wanting to give him a chance, but there is no improvement. He has a formation that he refuses to alter. We've been beaten by a poor Rangers team. Nancy must go.