Wilfried Nancy is establishing himself as the worst managerial appointment in Celtic’s history. The statistics tell the story…
03.01.2026 Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership. Brian Wilson, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO / News Licensing
Celtic’s troubles under Nancy deepened after a 3–1 defeat to theRangers at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon, a result that should have been the final nail in the coffin for the Hoops manager.
Celtic made the early breakthrough through Yang Hyun-jun, but the Ibrox club responded emphatically after the interval, with Youssef Chermiti finding the net twice and Mikey Moore also on the scoresheet which handed Danny Rohl’s side a decisive derby win.
The defeat for Celtic was notable for its rarity, with statistics shared by Scotland’s Coefficient on X highlighting that it marked the first occasion in 152 home matches in which Celtic scored first and still ended up on the losing side.
03.01.2026 Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership. Michael Nicholson, Chris McKay and Brian Wilson. Photo Kenny Ramsay
The swing in momentum between the two rivals since Nancy arrived has been stark. The Ibrox club had endured their worst opening to a campaign since 1978, while Celtic, following the previous league meeting, held their biggest late-August advantage over their rivals since 1989.
When Nancy was appointed in early December, the gap between the two sides was nine points. That cushion has now disappeared entirely, with the two sides now locked level on points and both sitting six adrift of league leaders Heart of Midlothian.
Another damning statistic Nancy might not want to see is how quick it has taken for him to rack up four losses in the league compared to previous Celtic managers.
Games taken to hit four losses in the league:
Wilfried Nancy – six games
Tony Mowbray – 21 games
Ronny Deila – 38 games
Gordon Strachan – 40 games
Neil Lennon (1st spell) – 43 games
Ange Postecoglou – 44 games
Neil Lennon (2nd spell) – 51 games
Brendan Rodgers (2nd spell) – 57 games
Martin O’Neill – 57 games
Brendan Rodgers (1st spell) – 76 games.
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on January 03, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It truly has been one of the worst appointments in the club’s history. Those who appointed him cannot survive this either. A self-inflicted mess. 18 goals conceded in 8 games yet the manager seems to think all is well with his system. Absolutely bonkers. However, the season is still salvageable.
You might notice too that the manager with the best and also the third best record in the stats shown above is the one that the Celtic Board chased and insulted as he left the building before replacing hm with the absolute worst. In second bottom spot is Tony Mowbray who was sacked after a defeat to St Mirren, his fourth defeat on 21 games. Nancy is on course to have 14 defeats in 21 games, although the rate of decline is likely to increase.
Nancy is a cause rather than a symptom of Celtic’s problems. Those who went through a managerial process, identified him, spoke to him at length and decided he was the right man cannot be allowed to continue in their jobs.
Shaun Maloney and Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park on October 28, 2025 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Also, these players cannot escape blame. 18 defeats in a year. That is staggering. There were cracks under both Rodgers and O’Neill but it has escalated under Nancy. There are a good few who need emptied. Start with the goalkeeper, who is clearly going to go on playing until he’ told otherwise.
To be fair to Brendan Rodgers and also Martin O’Neill both warned the Celtic Board that the squad needs to be improved but so far we have had one loan signing of a player who hasn’t played since August.
Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, waves to fans as he arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Celtic FC and SK Sturm Graz at Celtic Park on October 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
What a complete mess the club is in from the boardroom, to the players on the pitch, to the manager. The Decline and Fall of Celtic FC is being brought to you by Messrs Desmond (x2), Lawwell (x2), Nicholson, McKay and Wilson added by their hapless Frenchman Wilfried Nancy, their first choice as the replacement for an elite manager.
Conor Spence
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