'Open discussion': Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy reveals board expectation talk and fan exit stance

Nancy was appointed as the permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers on December 4 and was immediately thrown into a demanding schedule which includes a top-of-the-table Premiership clash with Hearts and a Europa League tie with Serie A high-flyers Roma.

Celtic lost both of those matches to increase the early scrutiny on Nancy ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren at Hampden. The 48-year-old has been criticised for making drastic tactical changes and asking his players to adopt a different approach midway through a season where the fixture list is congested.

Nancy will not get a free midweek until Christmas and admitted that he has toned down some of the demands on his squad given there is limited time on the training ground. And he revealed that there is an acceptance from his paymasters that he will need time to implement successfully his philosophies on the current squad.

“We had an open discussion,” Nancy said of initial talks with the board. “And on my side also, I followed the club for many years and I like to watch many games. So I knew that the challenge could be difficult. I knew that.

“After that, the club also knew that. So that's why we are on the same page. Yes, you guys [the media] are focusing on the present moment. You're right, also the fans. But I really believe that really good things will happen. Because I see every day the attitude of everyone.

“Again, I know where I am. I know the standing of the club. I know the fans. I know the desire of each person to play, to win trophies and so on. But to be honest, this is what I want too. So that's why I'm here.”

Nancy happy with situation

Despite the glut of games and fighting on multiple fronts having an impact on free midweeks, Nancy would not have it any other way.

“Yes, and I'm pleased with that,” the Frenchman continued. “Because again, I did it also in Montreal. We played 58 games because of all the competitions. So this is part of our job. It's different to be there since the beginning. And have all the habits.

“We don't have to train a lot. I just came last week. And this is not the same. So this is a fact. But I don't hide behind that. We know that it's a fact. We know that this is the situation. So again, the best thing that I want to do is to focus on the work. Work with the short time that we have.

“Give confidence to my players that we are on the right track. And to be honest also with them regarding what we need to improve. And after that, we'll see.”

Nancy knows that in the short term, he has to give Celtic fans something to cling on. Many streamed out of Parkhead during the second half of the 3-0 loss to Roma.

“I can understand the reaction,” he added. “They wanted to see something different and we didn't provide what we wanted to do. So, they left early. I've been a player, it happened to me.

“And this is something that, obviously, we are not happy to see that. But it's a fact. And the idea is to keep working and to reverse that and to have our fans until the end.”