Wilfried Nancy has called for patience at Celtic, responding sharply to detractors who he feels have already written him off…
Celtic captain Callum McGregor with Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown Training Ground, 2 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
The Hoops manager addressed mainstream media reporters yesterday afternoon ahead of this lunchtime’s Glasgow Derby clash against theRangers at Celtic Park.
The Celtic Star was scheduled to attend yesterday’s media conference but like the rest of the Celtic fan media we were banned for asking the club seven questions in early September after the calamity of a transfer window overseen by Michael Nicholson and Paul Tisdale and ahead of Brendan Rodgers being forced out the door for his own media conference comments about the club’s transfer needs in the summer.
Celtic enter today’s derby knowing a win would create a six-point cushion over their rivals and keep them firmly in touch with league leaders Hearts in the Premiership race.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor with Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy Celtic Team Training and press conference, Lennoxtown Training Ground, 2 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
However, the stakes are equally high at the other end of the equation, with another setback potentially allowing Danny Rohl’s side to move level on points despite Celtic being nine points ahead when Nancy arrived in early December.
Nancy spoke at length for around 25 minutes at the pre-match mainstream media conference as he defended his approach and early tenure in the role.
As well as urging supporters and journalists to give him time to implement his ideas, the Frenchman insisted that tactical criticism has been overstated, claiming only a single goal conceded so far can be attributed to his favoured 3-4-3 system.
Speaking via Celtic FC’s official YouTube channel, Nancy said: “I don’t play with a back five, so it is useless to talk about this. The way we defend, most of the time, this is a back four. Or it could be a back three.”
“I never said I was a back five guy. I’ve played with a back four, a back three or a back two. This is only the beginning. The fans want us to win games and do well. We know that. We want to do well for the club, the players and the fans. I know these games are important.”
“I realise that [how crazy life is as manager of Celtic]. Everybody can talk. I am who I am. We are so focussed on results. When we win we are happy, and when we lose this is difficult to accept. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be good and to make the right decisions.”
Nancy added: “I’m not here to change the opinion of anybody. I’m here to do what’s best. I’m here to help the team win, and then after that, the opinion can change, or not.”
Manager Celtic Wilfried Nancy of Celtic looks on after Celtic’s loss in the Premier League match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on December 30, 2025.. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“I have my job to do, and you’re asking me to think about what people think about me? No. I know depending on what we do how everything can go. I want the best for the club and my players.”
“I cannot control the noise. I would like the noise to be nice. When we won two games, the noise was better. We lost the last game, so the noise is back to normal, I would say. I’m not afraid of that.”
“I know your job is to attack me, or to ask a lot of questions, no problem with that. My job is to be a coach, your job is to ask questions.”
“This is only the beginning. Usually, we have four or five weeks of pre-season,” he continued. “I didn’t have that. The reality is, before I came, I knew if I didn’t win games, I was going to be in trouble. This is part of the job. I’m pleased to be here and I know where we are now.”
Manager Celtic Wilfried Nancy of Celtic looks on after Celtic’s loss in the Premier League match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on December 30, 2025 in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“As you know, I need time. Give me time and you’re going to see what I do. You can already see what I did before because I didn’t start yesterday. Tomorrow is a big game. But the context is that I’ve only had 13 training sessions with my team. Usually we have four weeks of pre-season.”
“It’s totally normal that you guys kill me. I’m fine with that because I know where I want to go. Judge me in a few weeks or months.”
Conor Spence
🗣️ “The Celtic players look directionless. The squad is in dire need of major surgery.”
Celtic fan Conor Spence from the Celtic Star reflects on the Motherwell defeat, Wilfried Nancy’s future and Saturday’s Old Firm – live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/SRaCuTU1aS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 31, 2025
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