Wilfried Nancy ‘not concerned’ about instructions failing to resonate

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The Celtic Star

·12 dicembre 2025

Wilfried Nancy ‘not concerned’ about instructions failing to resonate

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy says he is “not concerned” about his instructions failing to resonate with the squad despite the troubling 3-0 defeat to Roma…

Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma runs with the ball 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)

It proved a bleak evening for Celtic, who were comfortably beaten 3–0 by the Italian giants in the Europa League.

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The result leaves Nancy as the first Hoops manager to have lost in each of his opening two matches, following Sunday’s defeat to Scottish Premiership league leaders Hearts – and all with the Premier Sports League Cup final against St Mirren fast approaching.

However, the tame performance from the Scottish champions did little to sway Nancy, who remains committed to his footballing principles after implementing a 3-4-3 setup since taking charge.

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)

When TNT Sports’ Connie McLaughlin questioned him about whether his ideas weren’t getting through to the players, he replied: “They tried, I cannot tell you they didn’t try. But we should have been able to connect a little bit more, but we didn’t.

“So again, this is the situation. I am not concerned, because I really liked the reaction and this is the most important. They deserved to score at least one goal and to see if the reaction changed.”

Wilfried Nancy, Head Coach of Celtic, reacts 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)

Nancy added: “I saw already good things. The result is not what we want for sure, but today I saw good things. I would like the results to change today, we play to win games, but the reality is this is not the situation.”

“At this moment it is a bit difficult. I believe my players deserved a little bit more (from the game), to score goals, but for the moment this is the reality.”

“We need to rest and prepare for the final, because this was not easy to prepare for the game – a week where we have the final, and have many games. But, this is the way it is. My belief in the players is really strong.”

With the Celtic supporters voicing their frustration at both the interval and at full-time, Nancy added: “I respect the fans. They are really important for us, this is the key. They know that we play for them, so this is key.”

“They are not happy with the situation, and they showed this. I know where we are going. This result is not what we want, but I see a lot of good things, and yes, patience is something important. But I know patience is difficult in football. I believe in what we do, and I believe that shortly things will go in our way.

That really has to happen on Sunday, Wilfried.

"I saw really good things." Despite defeat in his opening two matches as Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy insists that his team are on the right path 📈 Celtic play St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final this Sunday at Hampden 🏆
– giovedì 11 dicembre 2025

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