Wilfried Nancy insisted he did not fear the sack, claiming, “We are really close to things turning around,” despite the Celtic manager moving dangerously close to dismissal with a comprehensive defeat by Rangers.
Celtic led their oldest rivals at the interval but a second-half capitulation from the hosts allowed Danny Röhl’s team to move level on points with the defending Scottish Premiership champions. Nancy, who was hired from Columbus Crew in December, has presided over six defeats in eight games.
Celtic’s support displayed their anger – towards the board and manager – in their hundreds outside the stadium at full time. The board would be most likely to return to Martin O’Neill, who enjoyed a successful interim spell before Nancy was hired, if the Frenchman were sacked.
“We are together with the board,” said Nancy. Pressed on whether he was concerned about his own future, the 48-year-old said: “I don’t think about it. I think about finding ways to help my team to be good on details.
“It’s the results [that leads to pressure]. So this is the reality for the moment. But when I say this is the reality, it doesn’t mean that I am a defeatist guy. No. What I mean is we are really close, really, really close to turn things around.”
Nancy continues to cling to the fact Celtic can perform strongly for one half at a time. Indeed, but for poor finishing they would have been more than 1-0 up on Saturday. “I saw enough except the fact that we haven’t scored more goals,” he said. “I know that we lost, but I have also to be objective.
“The level we had at certain moments was really, really, really high. This is the reality. And I would not talk like that if it was not the case. But that’s why, in terms of results, I said this is the same story. That’s why I said that we are really close to things turning around. But for the moment: details, details, details.
“I saw many, many good things that we did, like today again. But now it’s about consistency. My narrative would not be the same if it was not the case. That’s why I am a big believer we’re going to be able to turn things around.”
Röhl refused to contemplate a Rangers title charge despite what felt like a statement victory. “Step by step, then we can really build up something here,” he said. “The belief in the group is outstanding.”
