🔗 Share this article Wilfried Nancy Remains Defiant After His Team's Derby Loss to Rangers Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has declared he is still "together with the board" and maintains belief that "we can turn things around" despite a concerning 3-1 defeat to Rangers, which marks a sixth defeat in their last eight outings. The Frenchman praised 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. However, their Glasgow counterparts fought back after the break, capitalising on the home side's defensive fragility with a two goals from Youssef Chermiti and a third strike from Mikey Moore. This result means Rangers draw level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could find themselves six points behind table-toppers Hearts subject to the later 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 let in three goals from throw-ins. It's difficult to accept, but it's the situation. This is not about the individuals or the game plan, this is about moments." "This is not about me, this is about letting down the fans because I know the significance of this game. I can understand the frustration, but I also saw what we're able to do." "I believe we are really close, there are many things that can be improved. If it was not the case, I would not talk like this. I truly believe we can turn things around." He finished by stressing, "The manager and board are together with the board." Pundits Deliver Stark Assessment on Celtic's Situation Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart offered a brutal analysis: "Unworkable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The disconnect between the manager and the team is so obvious." "It is not something that can continue and it should not have happened. The people on the board who allowed this should be removed as well. Celtic are in an complete disarray." Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner identified the problem: "The problems are not high up the pitch for Celtic, the problems are the organisation at the back and the defensive qualities." 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 brutally bad." "Celtic have just collapsed. Something has to give, there is no doubt." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton concluded: "We've seen this story before with Nancy's Celtic." "You can score, but you've got to defend. This team don't do that." Supporters' Views: Understanding for Nancy But Growing Calls for Change The full-time mood among supporters was one of anger and calls for action. Pete: First 45 minutes looked promising, after the break we looked like amateurs. Nancy has a single way of playing and can't react. Get him out now! Iain: It's very clear for all to see that Celtic cannot play to Nancy's style. These players are not poor players all of a sudden. The answer is obvious. James: The board are wholly 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 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 poor Rangers team. Nancy must go.
Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has declared he is still "together with the board" and maintains belief that "we can turn things around" despite a concerning 3-1 defeat to Rangers, which marks a sixth defeat in their last eight outings. The Frenchman praised 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. However, their Glasgow counterparts fought back after the break, capitalising on the home side's defensive fragility with a two goals from Youssef Chermiti and a third strike from Mikey Moore. This result means Rangers draw level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could find themselves six points behind table-toppers Hearts subject to the later 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 let in three goals from throw-ins. It's difficult to accept, but it's the situation. This is not about the individuals or the game plan, this is about moments." "This is not about me, this is about letting down the fans because I know the significance of this game. I can understand the frustration, but I also saw what we're able to do." "I believe we are really close, there are many things that can be improved. If it was not the case, I would not talk like this. I truly believe we can turn things around." He finished by stressing, "The manager and board are together with the board." Pundits Deliver Stark Assessment on Celtic's Situation Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart offered a brutal analysis: "Unworkable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The disconnect between the manager and the team is so obvious." "It is not something that can continue and it should not have happened. The people on the board who allowed this should be removed as well. Celtic are in an complete disarray." Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner identified the problem: "The problems are not high up the pitch for Celtic, the problems are the organisation at the back and the defensive qualities." 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 brutally bad." "Celtic have just collapsed. Something has to give, there is no doubt." Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton concluded: "We've seen this story before with Nancy's Celtic." "You can score, but you've got to defend. This team don't do that." Supporters' Views: Understanding for Nancy But Growing Calls for Change The full-time mood among supporters was one of anger and calls for action. Pete: First 45 minutes looked promising, after the break we looked like amateurs. Nancy has a single way of playing and can't react. Get him out now! Iain: It's very clear for all to see that Celtic cannot play to Nancy's style. These players are not poor players all of a sudden. The answer is obvious. James: The board are wholly 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 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 poor Rangers team. Nancy must go.