Wilfried Nancy slams Celtic critics for 'killing him' as heated boss embarks on impassioned seven-minute plea
Fired up Celtic boss adamant it’s too early to judge him ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm showdown with Rangers
Under-fire Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has launched an astonishing rant amid calls for him to be sacked by insisting that it’s still too early to judge his credentials following a woeful start to his Parkhead tenure.
In an impassioned seven-minute plea to supporters, the Hoops boss has asked for more time to turn the club’s fortunes around as he battles to keep his job after suffering five defeats from his first seven games in charge.
The Frenchman is preparing to take charge of his first Old Firm derby against Rangers tomorrow and another loss would bring huge pressure on the former Columbus Crew head coach.
Victory for Danny Rohl’s side would see them pull level with the champions on points and spark widespread fury among the Celtic fanbase, with some sections already demanding change.
But Nancy is adamant he’s in it for the long haul and feels he needs time to implement and fine-tune his how philosophies.
“I need time,” Nancy declared. “I know that I don’t have time, because I know this is the way that it is in my job. But with the small amount of time that I’ve had, I saw things that we did better than when I had a team for four weeks in pre-season.
“So yes, I want to ask you, give me time, and you will see my team. You are going to see what I am going to do, because you can see already what I did before, because I didn’t start yesterday.
”So if you do your job, you’re going to be able to see what I did in the past and the way I play, what I want to do, the way I want to defend, the way I want to attack, it is clear. I don’t want to compare because the culture is different and so on, but when you see now, obviously people and fans are not happy, and me too, because I see only a few glimpses of what I want to do.
“But I am pleased with that too, because this is only 12 or 13 sessions that we did. This is the context. Like tomorrow, the context is that it is a big game, but for me, my context is that I have had only 13 practice sessions with my team, and usually we have four weeks of pre-season.
“So it is totally normal that you guys, you kill me. I’m fine with that, I’m totally fine with that, because I know where I want to go. Judge me in a few weeks, a month, but if you want to judge me now then you can do it, because it’s fact that I didn’t and we didn’t have the results that we wanted. It’s a fact, I cannot deny that.
“But do your job before, and I know that you do it, and have a look at the way that I am as a coach, as I am as a manager, and what I want to bring for the team, and you will see that we are not there yet.
“New players, a bit of time, and we have players who have been here for five, six, seven years doing certain things in a certain way, no kidding that it takes time. Guys, seriously. I’m going to be a liar if I say that everything is happy, everything is good. No. It is not the case. I knew that before, because this is part of my job.
“So, that is why I am calm regarding all the questions that you ask me. I am not pleased to hear that people don’t like me and so on. What am I going to say? They have a right to say it, because in terms of results, this is not what we want.
“But, if you do your job, you can see what I do. And if you are patient, and I know that you cannot be patient in this job, then you are going to be able to see what I can do. Not I, my team and my players.
“But, for the moment, this is a tornado. I knew that. Is it easy to handle that? No. But I am ready for that. So, this is my message for everyone. Fans, you guys, all the people, this is the reality. And we knew that before with the board when I came. It is totally normally that my players need a bit of time. It is totally normal that my players can be confused in certain moments, because it’s a process.
“I don’t like the word process because people sometimes think that I am going to hide behind process, but it is true! Judge me, no problem. But have a look, analyse since I am here all of the games that we played, and analyse if we should have won the game or lose the game. Do it! Because this is your job. Do it.
“But I don’t like to make assumptions. I am a clear guy. For the moment, I cannot talk. I shut my mouth because results aren’t good enough. I shut my mouth, and I take it. But I know where are going.
“After that, if it is going to work or not, I don’t know. But I know that we are going to do everything to do it. I am here for that. And after that, yes I want to win every game. Yes I want to bring titles to Celtic. Yes I want to create memories. I want to create a legacy here. Yes I’m going to die for his club - for sure.
“But, context, and I suffer with that. Not about the criticism, because this is part of my job. I suffer that ‘ah, I know that if he gets in this position, we are going to be able to outplay the opposition, but for the moment he is not ready to do it’.
“For the moment we only play with a back three offensively, but if you do your job, you are going to see that I am not a back-three guy. I attack in different way. But my players need time to understand what I want to do.
“This is my message, and after that we’ll see. But my job is... this is not normal but expect the unexpected. You don’t win, you get killed. You win, okay.”