Nancy Urges Celtic Fans To Stay Patient Amid Winless Run And Pressure

Celtic slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Dundee United on Wednesday, extending Wilfried Nancy's winless start to four matches and leaving Hearts clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership going into 1992. Nancy's side

now trails the leaders by six points after 16 league fixtures.

Daizen Maeda put Celtic ahead early in the second half at Tannadice Park, but the visitors collapsed as Krisztian Keresztes and Zachary Sapsford struck in quick succession. Dundee United protected that lead, leaving Celtic's travelling support frustrated and voicing anger towards Nancy at full time.

The loss adds to a difficult opening spell for Wilfried Nancy at Celtic. Nancy has become only the second Celtic manager to lose each of the first two league games in charge, matching Wim Jansen's start in August 1997, and the latest setback has intensified scrutiny around the French coach.

Celtic's defeat also carried statistical significance. It was the first time since 10 December 2023, against Kilmarnock, that Celtic lost a Premiership match after scoring the opening goal, ending a 55-game unbeaten league run in such situations and underlining how vulnerable the team currently appears when under pressure.

Despite the result, Celtic produced enough attacking numbers to feel aggrieved. Both sides registered 17 shots, yet Celtic created the better openings on paper, finishing with an expected goals figure of 2.75 to Dundee United's 1.16, while again failing to turn territory and possession into accurate finishing.

Only two of Celtic's 17 efforts hit the target, which allowed Dundee United goalkeeper Dave Richards a relatively quiet evening. Maeda went close again when a late header struck the post, but even during long spells of dominance, Celtic struggled to create clear-cut chances that truly challenged Richards in the home goal.

Nancy stressed that small details were costing Celtic points and argued the overall display showed improvement. "I can understand, Nancy told BBC Scotland of the jeers he faced. I am a human being and disappointed and the connection with the fans is important for me. But we had clear chances, and we have to help the players with that. We have to work on certain things. It's difficult for the club and the players, the staff and myself. But again, it's difficult for me to talk. We've lost four games in a row, but today we were close to winning the game. It's the direction we have to keep going in, and we have to be stronger to avoid conceding these kinds of goals. "

Asked whether Celtic remained the right club for Wilfried Nancy, the manager pointed to long-term development and context. "Come onI know the situation. Everybody wants to win, me too. But I know there is improvement. Context. Just step back, have a look at the context. The idea is to see what we can do, what we can do to improve the team, the players and I think I am in a good direction with the players. Today you saw we had a good performance. But in three minutes we lost the game. For the moment, that's the factual situation. I can understand the fans are not happy with me. I want a connection with the fans, but that is hard when we don't win. "

Nancy accepted the frustration from Celtic supporters, while insisting the squad must continue along the same tactical path but defend key moments better. With four straight defeats and Hearts leading the Premiership into the new year, every upcoming match now carries added weight for Celtic's season and for Nancy's tenure.