Celtic managers cannot afford to keep losing matches, and that harsh reality is now confronting Wilfried Nancy. Since his appointment in December, the Frenchman has already overseen five defeats — and the calendar hasn’t even turned to the New Year.
What makes Tuesday night’s loss to Motherwell particularly worrying is that it came as little surprise. Even during Celtic’s recent back-to-back victories, performances had raised serious concerns. Former Hoops midfielder Michael Stewart was in attendance at Fir Park and did not hold back in his assessment of what he witnessed.
Celtic’s problems under Nancy extend beyond results. Time and again, they have been second best in matches, regularly outplayed by opponents. That trend was evident in the League Cup final defeat to St Mirren, and it resurfaced once more against a Motherwell side pushing for European qualification.
Speaking on Premier Sports, Stewart delivered a brutal verdict, claiming Celtic were completely outclassed by Jens Berthel Askou’s team. He described the champions as being “second best,” saying they were “chasing shadows” and had been “schooled — on the pitch and off it.”
Attention now turns to what lies ahead for Nancy. With a Glasgow derby against Rangers looming on Saturday lunchtime, pressure could scarcely be higher. Unless Celtic act before the weekend, Nancy faces a match he simply cannot afford to lose.
Another defeat, particularly against Rangers, would almost certainly spell the end of his short and troubled reign in the Celtic dugout.
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