'I don't think': Wilfried Nancy tackles Celtic future questions head on and has say on players after Rangers loss

Nancy fell to a sixth defeat in his eight matches since taking over at Celtic a month ago at a seething Parkhead. The hosts dominated the first half and led through a Yang Hyun-jun strike, but capitulated after the break and conceded three unanswered goals to Youssef Chermiti (twice) and Mikey Moore.

The Jekyll and Hyde nature of Celtic’s performance has been a hallmark of life under Nancy, but for many succumbing to Rangers at home and losing further ground in the title race is of grave concern. Celtic remain second in the Premiership, potentially six points off Hearts by close of play, and have been joined on 38 points by Rangers.

Some Celtic fans assembled outside the main stand at Parkhead to vent their fury at the current situation. Nancy accepts that they have every right to show discontentment but still retains belief that he can turn fortunes around.

“I don't think about it [my future],” said Nancy. “I think about finding ways to help my team to be good on details. I can understand that [the fans’ ire]. I think that they were behind us the first half, they pushed us in a good way. And after that... I can understand why they're disappointed regarding the fact that we had many possibilities to win the game.

“I know that I repeat myself, but it happened in the past also regarding many games. And I think that they really enjoyed the first half. They saw a team, players that they were giving everything with the ball and without the ball. So they see the direction that we want to go but in a consistent way, you know, for 95 minutes.

“And after that, the fact that I know the meaning of this game - I know that - and the disappointment for them. But what I can tell them is what we did during the first half and also at certain moments second half, this is what we want to do. But at the same time, we know that we can't accept, we cannot accept to concede goals like this. We know that. And this is something that we're going to work on.

“It's the results. Results. 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. And again, I repeat myself, but I can understand this situation.”

Celtic players ‘are getting’ what is being asked of them

Nancy believes that his players are understanding what they are being asked to do and refused to throw them under the bus despite this latest reversal. “It's not that they are not getting it,” the Frenchman said. “I am with my players. I'm not here to pinpoint who missed the chances, because everybody missed. But again, the execution, I think that should be better.

“They work every day to do it. Again, I am with my player, I want to protect my player. I know that they do the maximum that they can do. After that, there are moments like today where we have to be better in these details. But this is what I feel.”

It was put Nancy that he had inherited a good position after Martin O’Neill’s interim spell in charge and has made the situation worse. “In terms of results, yes. I cannot deny that they had the results,” the 48-year-old added. “After that, they struggled also at certain moments, but they found a way to win. I cannot deny that. So now, I think it's a small margin because again, the first game against Hearts, if we win the game, if we score the goals, I think that it could be different.

“So now this is the situation, and when we lose it could be difficult, but I know that my players are stronger and able to bounce back.”