Wilfried Nancy has dismissed the fuss around his first game as Celtic manager, saying he will not waste time on negative reaction after a 2-1 home defeat to Hearts. The 48-year-old French coach, appointed only days earlier, saw his side fall three points behind the Scottish Premiership leaders with a game in hand.
Nancy drew attention during the match for using a hand-held tactics board on the touchline and even for wearing green trainers. He defended both decisions ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie with Roma, insisting he will do what helps him and his team rather than react to outside chatter. “People deserve the right to talk,” he said, adding that if he uses the board it is because it is helpful to him and that he does not intend to explain or justify every choice.
A long spell as an assistant — seven years before becoming a head coach — taught Nancy to shut out external noise. He said he has removed himself from social media and concentrates solely on what he can control: his players, the club and trying to win by getting performances right.
Nancy also acknowledged the demanding start to life at Celtic. He laughed that jet lag had even prompted his mother to point out bags under his eyes, but said he is excited by the role and is working to understand the club’s culture while shaping his preferred style of play. “This is a lifestyle,” he added, describing management as something he embraces rather than tolerates.
Sky Sports reporter Gordon Duncan, at Celtic Park, noted how quickly scrutiny has intensified in Glasgow and said Nancy appeared defiant and unfazed by the reaction to his methods. Duncan added that this is a pivotal week for the new manager, with a Europa League test against Roma and the League Cup final against St Mirren coming up — results in those fixtures are likely to influence how much attention Nancy attracts.
Celtic’s upcoming fixtures:
– Roma (H) – Europa League – Thursday
– St Mirren (N) – League Cup final – Sunday
– Dundee Utd (A) – Scottish Premiership – December 17 – live on Sky Sports
– Aberdeen (H) – Scottish Premiership – December 21
– Livingston (A) – Scottish Premiership – December 27 – live on Sky Sports