đź”— Share this article Nancy Remains Resolute Following His Team's Derby Loss to City Rivals Parkhead manager Wilfried Nancy has insisted he is still "together with the board" and maintains belief that "the team can turn things around" despite a concerning 3-1 defeat to Rangers, which marks a sixth defeat in eight games. The French manager hailed an "exceptional" first-half performance from his side, a period in which they went ahead through Yang Hyun-Jun and passed up a number of clear chances. Yet, their Glasgow counterparts roared back after the break, capitalising on the Celtic's defensive fragility with a double brace from Youssef Chermiti and a third strike from Mikey Moore. This result sees Rangers draw level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could end up six points adrift leaders Hearts depending on the evening result. Addressing the media, Nancy stated, "The result was disappointing because we merited a better outcome today, but again we needed more goals." "In the second half, we conceded three goals from set-pieces. It's difficult to accept, but it's reality. This is not about the individuals or the tactics, this is about key instances." "This is not about me, this is about letting down the fans because I understand the meaning of this game. I can understand the disappointment, but I also saw what we're able to do." "I believe we are really close, there are many things that can turn around. If it was not the case, I would not speak like this. I truly believe we can turn things around." He finished by reiterating, "The manager and board are together with the board." Analysts Give Blunt Assessment on Celtic's Situation Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart offered a brutal take: "Untenable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The gap between the manager and the team is so obvious." "It is not something that can carry on and it should not have happened. The people on the board who facilitated this should be shown the door as well. Celtic are in an absolute state." Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner identified the issue: "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 collapsed. Something has to change, there is no doubt." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton summed up: "We've seen this movie before with Nancy's Celtic." "You can score, but you've got to defend. This team don't do that." Fan Reaction: Sympathy for Nancy But Mounting Calls for Change The full-time mood among supporters was one of frustration and demand for action. Pete: First 45 minutes looked promising, after the break 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 poor 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 fall guy. We lack the players for his system. Andy: Nancy has to go. I've been one of those hoping to give him a chance, but there is no improvement. He has a formation that he won't change. We've been beaten by a mediocre Rangers team. Nancy must go.
Parkhead manager Wilfried Nancy has insisted he is still "together with the board" and maintains belief that "the team can turn things around" despite a concerning 3-1 defeat to Rangers, which marks a sixth defeat in eight games. The French manager hailed an "exceptional" first-half performance from his side, a period in which they went ahead through Yang Hyun-Jun and passed up a number of clear chances. Yet, their Glasgow counterparts roared back after the break, capitalising on the Celtic's defensive fragility with a double brace from Youssef Chermiti and a third strike from Mikey Moore. This result sees Rangers draw level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could end up six points adrift leaders Hearts depending on the evening result. Addressing the media, Nancy stated, "The result was disappointing because we merited a better outcome today, but again we needed more goals." "In the second half, we conceded three goals from set-pieces. It's difficult to accept, but it's reality. This is not about the individuals or the tactics, this is about key instances." "This is not about me, this is about letting down the fans because I understand the meaning of this game. I can understand the disappointment, but I also saw what we're able to do." "I believe we are really close, there are many things that can turn around. If it was not the case, I would not speak like this. I truly believe we can turn things around." He finished by reiterating, "The manager and board are together with the board." Analysts Give Blunt Assessment on Celtic's Situation Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart offered a brutal take: "Untenable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The gap between the manager and the team is so obvious." "It is not something that can carry on and it should not have happened. The people on the board who facilitated this should be shown the door as well. Celtic are in an absolute state." Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner identified the issue: "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 collapsed. Something has to change, there is no doubt." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton summed up: "We've seen this movie before with Nancy's Celtic." "You can score, but you've got to defend. This team don't do that." Fan Reaction: Sympathy for Nancy But Mounting Calls for Change The full-time mood among supporters was one of frustration and demand for action. Pete: First 45 minutes looked promising, after the break 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 poor 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 fall guy. We lack the players for his system. Andy: Nancy has to go. I've been one of those hoping to give him a chance, but there is no improvement. He has a formation that he won't change. We've been beaten by a mediocre Rangers team. Nancy must go.