New Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has conceded that supporters were right to vent their anger after his team suffered a fourth consecutive defeat under his leadership, but he remains adamant he can reverse the club's alarming slide.
Tannadice Turmoil Extends Celtic's Woes
The French boss was subjected to furious chants from the travelling support as he left the pitch following a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice. The loss compounds a disastrous start for Nancy, who was appointed just two weeks ago.
Daizen Maeda had given the visitors the lead, but the match turned on its head in a devastating three-minute spell in the second half. Krisztian Keresztes and Zac Sapsford both found the net to secure a famous victory for Jim Goodwin's side and plunge Celtic into deeper crisis.
The matchday was already one of upheaval for the Scottish champions, with chairman Peter Lawwell announcing his resignation beforehand. Chief executive Michael Nicholson then publicly backed Nancy in a pre-match interview, stating the board's faith was "absolutely solid" and indicating the manager would be given the next two transfer windows to rectify matters.
A Historic Low and a Manager's Defence
This dismal run marks the first time since 1978 that Celtic have lost four games in a row. The spectre of an even more unwanted record now looms; the club has not lost five consecutive matches since 1947, a fate Nancy must try to avoid when Aberdeen visit this Sunday.
"I heard it and obviously it’s not nice to hear that," Nancy said of the fans' angry reaction. "But I can understand their frustration, too. It’s new for me, too, to lose four games in a row."
Despite the results, the manager insisted he sees progress. "I don’t think the job is too big for me. We don’t have a lot of time to work. You are going to think I am silly, but I see a lot of improvement," he argued. "I felt we played a really good game. We improve, improve, improve - and then suddenly, boom, we concede two goals. We deserved to win but didn’t."
Board Backing and Opponent Sympathy
In his club TV address, CEO Michael Nicholson acknowledged fan concern but urged patience. "We understand that Celtic supporters are concerned about where we are. I understand and I respect the right of every supporter to express their discontent," he said. "But we know where we want to go. And step by step, all of our job is to support Wilfried, his team and the squad."
Nicholson confirmed plans were already underway with Nancy for recruitment in the January and summer transfer windows.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin, who ended his own side's seven-game winless league run, offered sympathy to his counterpart. "I sympathise with every manager who is going through a difficult time," Goodwin stated. "But don’t forget he wasn’t the only one coming into tonight under a bit of pressure."
All eyes now turn to Celtic Park on Sunday, where Nancy's team must halt the slide against Aberdeen to prevent the club's worst losing sequence in over 75 years.
