Celtic Secures First Win Under Wilfried Nancy
On the winter solstice, a glimmer of hope emerged for Wilfried Nancy as he secured his first victory as Celtic manager after an arduous start marked by four consecutive defeats across various competitions.
This long-awaited win keeps Celtic within six points of league leaders Hearts, with a game in hand, showcasing a dominant performance against Aberdeen at Celtic Park.
For a remarkable 20 minutes in the second half, Celtic displayed scintillating football reminiscent of their glory days under Brendan Rodgers, Ange Postecoglou, and Martin O'Neill.
With a staggering 31 shots on goal, 10 of which were on target, and an expected goals (xG) tally of 4.5, Celtic should have been far ahead. The only concern for fans should have been last-minute Christmas shopping.
However, when Kenan Bilalovic scored to level the match for 10-man Aberdeen with 16 minutes left, worries about Nancy's position resurfaced.
Since taking over from O'Neill less than three weeks ago, many fans have questioned whether Nancy fully understood the challenges he faced.
While he might be excused for struggling to comprehend the bizarre nature of Sunday’s match, he will not receive much leniency if the promising signs against Aberdeen do not lead to a more consistent turnaround.
‘It Could Have Been Double Figures’
Fabulous. Sensational. Unstoppable. These are just a few of the superlatives used by the usually reserved Sportsound pundit Willie Miller to describe Celtic's performance.
The Aberdeen legend barely had time to articulate his thoughts at the start of the second half as he noted each chance created by Celtic during their dominant display.
Auston Trusty was denied by a spectacular save from Dimitar Mitov, followed by Callum McGregor's effort being superbly clawed away by the goalkeeper.
Goalscorer Benjamin Nygren struck the back post, as did Arne Engels in a similar attempt, while Anthony Ralston was thwarted on a volley.
Just 10 minutes into the second half, Miller expressed disbelief that the score was still only 1-0 given Celtic's “incredible pressure.”
The relentless attack continued, with Mitov thwarting Johnny Kenny’s cross and Luke McCowan's long-range efforts, once again stopped by the Bulgarian keeper.
Engels struck the post from close range, and substitute James Forrest was denied by Mitov's brilliance, demonstrating a remarkable recovery from a player whose earlier mistake led to a first-half sending off.
“There are great escapes, and then there's this,” Miller remarked on BBC Scotland. “This would be the greatest of all if Aberdeen could salvage something from this match.”
Bilalovic's goal silenced the home crowd, shifting the atmosphere within the stadium. Celtic's fluidity faded, and the tension from previous matches returned.
Ultimately, Celtic's numerical advantage prevailed, with Kieran Tierney and Forrest scoring late to secure a win that was crucial given their dominance.
“I noted eight significant chances,” Miller added, astonished. “When you consider the two goals Celtic scored in the second half, it’s remarkable.”
“It was wave after wave of chances, yet Aberdeen still had an opportunity to take something from the game. If Celtic had reached double figures, Aberdeen could not have complained because they were absolutely fabulous. Wilfried Nancy deserves credit for sticking with his system; they were sensational, utterly unstoppable, with only the finishing touch missing.”
Nancy Under ‘Unbelievable Pressure’
Despite the victory, the pressure on Nancy remains palpable. Pre-match, there was no festive spirit at Celtic Park, as boos echoed in a stadium that felt more toxic than welcoming.
A significant fan protest took place outside the stadium, with supporters expressing dissatisfaction with the club's management and direction. Ironically, many fans believe that the club is not operating in line with its storied legacy.
While the frustration is not solely directed at Nancy, his poor start has certainly contributed to the unrest. Transforming a team that previously won seven out of eight matches under an interim manager into a source of ridicule is no small feat.
Although the hard-fought win against a depleted side will not erase all concerns regarding his capabilities, it does buy him some time. Nancy maintained his preferred 3-4-3 formation, featuring only one central defender in Trusty, flanked by two full-backs.
Had the match turned against him, calls for a change in tactics would have been deafening.
“That was unbelievable pressure he was under,” former Parkhead goalkeeper Pat Bonner noted on Sportsound. “This result gives him a bit of breathing room.”
“It will be interesting to see who he brings in during the January transfer window. He needs to strengthen the defensive side of the team and may need to recruit players who can enhance this style of play. If they fail to do so, further questions will arise.”