Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy insists he is still “with the board” and believes “we can turn things around”, despite a sixth defeat in eight games following the defeat. derby defeat to Rangers.
The Frenchman hailed an “exceptional” first half from his side, in which they took the lead through Yang Hyun-Jun and squandered several other chances.
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However, their city rivals hit back in the second half and exposed the home side’s defensive fragility with a brace from Youssef Chermiti and a third from Mikey Moore.
THE 3-1 defeat means Rangers are level on points with second-placed Celtic, who could be six adrift of Hearts if the leaders beat Livingston later on Saturday.
As Parkhead supporters staged a post-match protest directed at the club’s board, Nancy told BBC Scotland: “It was disappointing because we deserved more today, but again we needed more goals.
“In the second half we conceded three goals from throw-ins. It’s difficult to accept, but it’s the reality. It’s not a question of players or tactics, it’s a question of moments.
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“It’s not about me, it’s about disappointing the fans because I know the meaning of this game. I can understand the disappointment, but I also saw what we are capable of doing.
“We are very close, there are a lot of things that can change. If that wasn’t the case, I wouldn’t talk like that. I really believe we can change things.
“We are with the board.”
“Celtic in absolute condition” – the experts’ point of view
Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart on BBC Sportsound: “Untenable position for Nancy. He looks like a broken man. The disconnect between manager and team is so stark.
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“This is not something that can continue and it should not have happened. The people on the board who facilitated this should also be shown the door. Celtic are in an absolute state.”
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner on BBC Sportsound: “The problems are not at the top of the pitch for Celtic, the problems are the shape of the back and the defensive qualities.”
Former Rangers striker and manager Billy Dodds on BBC Sportsound: “As much as Rangers did the right things in that second half, Celtic were just brutally bad.
“The Celtics just surrendered. Something has to give, there’s no doubt about it.”
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Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton on Sky Sports: “We’ve seen this movie before with Nancy’s Celtic.
“You can score, but you have to defend. This team doesn’t do that.”
Sympathy for Nancy but ‘he has to go’ – what fans think
Disgruntled Celtic fans gathered outside the stadium after the match to protest against the club’s board of directors (SNS)
Rock : The first 45 minutes looked great, after half-time we looked like amateurs. Nancy has a way of playing and cannot react to opposing teams who adapt to it. Take it out now!
Ian: It is very obvious that Celtic cannot follow Nancy’s system, these players are not bad players all of a sudden. They played well enough for Martin O’Neill, so the answer is self-explanatory. End of.
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Jacques: The board of directors is entirely responsible. I feel sorry for Nancy as he should never have been nominated in the first place, but he will be used as a scapegoat. We don’t have players with a fully fit squad for the 3-4-3, but we have so many key players missing. O’Neill should have been given it until the summer and asked for a new manager to start the first day of pre-season.
Andy: Nancy has to leave. I am one of those who wanted to give it a chance, but there is no progress. We don’t have the best defense to begin with, but he made it worse. He has a formation that he won’t change and there isn’t really a style of play. It’s not fun anymore. We were beaten by the poorest Rangers team in decades, with a terrible striker who is actually better than us! End of rant…Nancy has to go.
