Unbowed Celtic's manager does not fear being fired but the Parkhead faithful show wrath following defeat.

Wilfried Nancy stated he had no concerns about dismissal, claiming, “I believe we are really close to a turnaround,” even after edging perilously close to the exit with a convincing defeat by Rangers.

A Second-Half Meltdown Leads to Old Firm Loss

The Hoops were in front their oldest rivals at half-time but a collapse after the break enabled Rangers to draw level on points with the current league title holders. The former MLS manager, who was appointed from the MLS, has now overseen six losses in his first eight fixtures.

“We are together with the board,” said the manager.

Asked directly about his own future, he responded: “I don’t think about it. I concentrate on discovering solutions to get the team to improve on the fine details.

Fan Fury Erupts

Celtic’s support made their feelings clear – aimed at the dugout and directors – by protesting at Parkhead. The board are thought to be considering to re-appoint the former boss, who steered the club during a temporary stint previously, if Nancy departs.

“The outcomes [that leads to pressure]. And that’s the situation for the moment. However when I say that’s how it is, that is not a sign that I am pessimistic. Not at all. My point is we are really close, really, really close to change the narrative.”

Focus on the Details

He remains focused on the fact the side show good levels for one half at a time. For instance, but for wastefulness in front of goal they would have been greater than 1-0 up. “The performance had merit other than the fact that we haven’t scored our chances,” he said. “I acknowledge that we lost, but I must remain balanced.

“The performance we had at stages was really, really, really high. This is the reality. I wouldn't talk like that if it was untrue. That is the reason, regarding outcomes, I said we've seen this before. Which is why I believe we are nearly there to getting it right. But for the moment: details, details, details.”

“I saw plenty of positives that we did, once more. But now it’s about consistency. My narrative would not be if I didn't believe it. That’s why I am convinced we will manage to get back on track.”

Röhl’s Cautious Response

Rangers manager was cautious about a championship push even after what felt like a statement victory. “We take it game by game, then we can gradually build something here,” he said. “The faith in the group is outstanding.”

Sarah Jackson
Sarah Jackson

A Berlin-based tech journalist and software developer with over 8 years of experience in digital innovation and cybersecurity.