Wilfried Nancy spoke to the media following Celtic’s damaging 2-1 defeat at the hands of Dundee United at Tannadice last night. Here is everything the under-pressure Frenchman said…

Wilfried Nancy speaks to Callum McGregor, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: It’s your fourth consecutive defeat, how would you explain this game?

Wilfried Nancy: “I think that we had the possibility to score many goals, because we had a lot of chances. First half, but also second half, when we tried to come back after the two goals. But we lost the game in three minutes on the second wave of set pieces. And this is a tough one, because I think that we were in control of the game. We did really good things to attack, to defend well, with aggressiveness. But again, we had clear tap-ins, not only the forward, everyone. And we didn’t score, and if you don’t score, if you don’t kill the game after that, the game is not over. And that’s why this is difficult to accept that, but this is the reality. Obviously, everybody is disappointed regarding the fact that we didn’t win. And obviously, this is a tough one.”

Wilfried Nancy, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: I know it’s very early in the season, but the Celtic fans are very angry. Do you still feel you’re the man who can turn this around?

Wilfried Nancy:  “Yes, yes, because again, I can see everyday improvements. And I think that today, we did a good game again, but in terms of results, it was not enough. And we all want to win, the players, myself and so on. But in terms of results, obviously, I can understand why the fans are upset.”

Celtic fan protest . Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: Do you believe that you’re going to get, in the January transfer window, backing from Michael Nicholson and the board to get players in? Because clearly, these players can’t win games for you?

Wilfried Nancy:  “Honestly, I don’t see it like that. We know that all windows, this is important for the club, and we’re going to work on that for the moment. Like I said, I’m really disappointed for the players, because I think that we had a really good game. And when it’s not a good game, it’s not a good game. But I think that we had a really good game. And we had clear chances, and on this one, we didn’t score. And we hit the post a few times since I came in. We also missed PKs, so we have to stay strong. I think that, again, you’re going to think that I am silly, but I see a lot of improvement. A lot. And now we are missing the results.”

Wilfried Nancy, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: What did you say to the players at full-time, Wilfried? What did you say to them? Do you have the belief that they have the belief in you and everything you’re trying to do here?

Wilfried Nancy: “I told them that we had the chances, what I told you. We had many chances, and we have to score on this one, because if we don’t score, we know that the game is not finished. And after that, we lost the game in three minutes. This is what I told them. And one moment, on this one, we have to be better. We have to be better, because, again, the performance was good. We improved, we improved, we improved. And suddenly, boom, we conceded a goal. Set piece. On the second wave. We improved, we improved, we improved. We were close to score goals and to win the game. And suddenly, boom again. And they know that, on this one, they didn’t do well. And obviously, this is a fact. But at the same time, I repeat myself, I see a lot of improvement. Because today, we deserved to win, but we didn’t win. And at the end of the day, we lost the game. And this is what I told them.”

Continues on the next page…

Wilfried Nancy, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: But Wilfried, the fans were shouting at you at full-time that they wanted you out. Did you hear that? And how did you feel about that?

Wilfried Nancy:  “Obviously, this is difficult to hear that. But I can understand their frustration, too. It’s new for me to have four losses in a row. This is also new for the players. This is something that we don’t want. But I can understand their upset. But the only thing that I can tell them is that tonight we had a good performance. And we are missing the goals that could have been good for us. And we’re still working on that to win the next game.”

Wilfried Nancy talks to Daizen Maeda. , Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: There are people already who feel this job could be too big for you, Wilfried. How would you react to that?

Wilfried Nancy:  “No, I don’t think so. Again, I think that they have the right to say things like this. But again, the context when I came, many games in a row, this is the situation. And also, like I said, we don’t have a lot of time to work. But when we work, we do it well. And again, tonight was a good performance. But the result was not there.”

Wilfried Nancy, Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: How difficult is it for you personally? Because you’re just two weeks into the job.

Wilfried Nancy:  “Yeah, for sure it’s difficult. Because I know what we can do. I know what I can do also. But I know that as a coach, we are judged on results. But that’s why this is difficult to accept personally. Because I know that we are… I don’t know if I can use this term in English, because I am a French guy. But I know that we are on the right track, knowing that we lost the game. And it’s difficult for me, yes. This is the situation. But again, I’m going to take it. Like I said to the players, I’m going to be in front of you. Because I have to do it. And the fans are not happy. I’m going to take it with that. But I believe also that we can do better. And I think that today we were close to having a really good performance. But we didn’t do better at the good moments.”

Celtic Board and the Green Brigade at full time. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Tannadice, 17 December 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: Is it possible that you’ve underestimated Scottish football?

Wilfried Nancy:  “No, no. No, I know Scottish football. I know the way it is. I come from France. I come from Europe. I was close when I was a player to sign with Carlisle. So, I know exactly where I am. I know that Scottish football, this is physical. I know that there is a lot of intensity. I know that there is a lot of fight. And the referees don’t whistle a lot. I know that. I think that, again, today, since I came here, this is not like we went off the record. But, again, in terms of results, because I’m judged on that, you are talking like this, and I take it. But at the end of the day, I think that we, again, I’m going to repeat myself, we are improving. But, tonight, it’s a perfect situation regarding what we should have done or could have done to win this game. But we have to do better in this situation.”

And here’s Wilfried Nancy speaking to Sky Sports after the 2-1 defeat at Tannadice against Dundee United, his fourth consecutive defeat as Celtic manager from his four games in charge…

Dundee United 2-1 Celtic – Match Highlights…

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