Celtic problems not caused by Nancy – You reap what you sow, Michael | OneFootball

It was clearly an improved second half display, but Celtic were completely outclassed on all fronts. Sunday is now a major worry. St Mirren will be licking their lips. It should be noted that this is not all on Wilfried Nancy, the problems all start in our world class boardroom…

Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Celtic, shouts instructions during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

I couldn’t make the game tonight thankfully, but watching on TV was just as bad, being reduced to watching on the sofa, through my fingers as our lack of quality was badly exposed by a ruthless Roma side.

It wasn’t just the scoreline, but the manner of the display

It wasn’t just the scoreline, but the manner of the display. We looked very much like a side lacking in confidence, and much like Sunday against Hearts we looked like a side devoid of quality and tactical ideas. We were very poor, as our fragilities were brutally highlighted on the big stage.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic scores his team a goal as Mile Svilar of AS Roma fails to make a save, which is disallowed following a VAR review during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Despite an improved second half display (to be fair we couldn’t get any worse) we got what we deserved and that was nothing. Roma taught us a footballing lesson, and it was basically men against boys as we chased shadows for the majority of the ninety plus minutes on a rain soaked night in the East End of Glasgow.

Nancy has only had two games to sort out a mess

It’s only the second game in charge for Wilfried Nancy, but that doesn’t make him immune from criticism, as yet again he stuck to his preferred 3-4-3, with three left footers in central defence, which is quite baffling truth be told. However it should be said that the problems stem from the boardroom with the world class decision making of Michael Nicholson & Co.

So far Nancy’s system quite frankly seems to spook the players, who yet again looked like a side just pitted together for the first time. Nancy didn’t sign these players, the summer arrivals in particular have been dreadful and no more so than last night.

Callum McGregor of Celtic applauds the fans after the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Time is not a luxury we can afford

I know it’s early days, and the players have to adapt to their new roles, but time is not a luxury we can afford, especially with the Premier Sports Cup final looming on Sunday.

St Mirren will be a totally different proposition from Roma, that goes without saying, but it’s a cup final, they will be well up for it, and will clearly fancy their chances after watching Celtic these past couple of games.

Zeki Celik of AS Roma is challenged by Kieran Tierney of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Sunday is now a cause for concern

Sunday is far from being a foregone conclusion. I would be lying if I said i wasn’t worried, so would you. It’s going to be a very tense afternoon and Wilfried Nancy needs to take stock on what he has seen so far. His changes at the interval helped, that’s a starting point for the manager who really needs to get his first win at Hampden.

Three defeats, including losing a cup final, is asking for pressure on any manager.

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