Q: Is that something you can address on the training ground, these chances that you’re not converting? Is that something you can address technically? Can you have a quiet word with a player about doing something different? How do you go about sorting out that issue?
Wilfried Nancy: “Yes, this is not easy. This is a good question, because we think that this is easy to score goals, but there is emotion. Emotion is one of the most difficult things to control. When a player misses a goal, thinking about it after that context. When we train, everybody is good. It’s a way of talking. But now we have to add this kind of situation. So again, I think that this is repetition, but I like to call it like this. This is repetition without repetition, because they know how to shoot. They know how to kick the ball. They know how to control. This is more to create an environment regarding the way we’re going to train to help the player to perform and to repeat this kind of action. But after that, this is more the mental aspect. There are many things that are difficult to coach. This is more about giving confidence and also support and sometimes challenges to the player, because this is so complex.”
21.12.2025 Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership. Johnny Kenny gets his shot away Photo Kenny Ramsay
Q: Johnny Kenny is a young striker. He does not have a great deal of first-team experience. Have you felt the need to put an arm around his shoulder and speak to him to give him confidence and tell him he’s still doing good things?
Wilfried Nancy: “Yes, for sure, because again, this is my job also to be honest with the player. Sometimes I have to hug them. Sometimes I have to tell them that this is not good enough. And this is the way I am as a coach. So now I have to find the balance and the good moments to play with this situation. So again, as you know, when there is a player who missed a goal or who missed a pass or who doesn’t have a good game, the first guy who is really sad is him. So now I have to find a solution to help him. And after that, we’ll see.”
Daizen Maeda of Celtic and Stuart Armstrong of Aberdeen Celtic v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park on 21 December 2025. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock
Q: There’s a lot of talk about players coming in, but one player who really left in the summer was Daizen Maeda. He said that he wanted to move. Have you had a conversation with Daizen about his long-term future?
Wilfried Nancy: “He’s really happy here. He’s really happy here and I knew that he had the opportunity to leave before. But for the moment, he’s with us and he’s happy to be here.”
Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov saves from Daizen Maeda of Celtic Celtic v Aberdeen, l Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, 21 December 2025. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO Shutterstock
Q: You played him in a wide left position against Aberdeen, but he’s also been used as a centre-forward. Where do you see him in his best position?
Wilfried Nancy: “Both! No, because he’s not a natural winger, I would say, because he’s able to make the run. When he starts in the middle, he makes a run on the side to attack. And when he starts on the side, he makes a run towards the net. So this is all about this kind of situation. After that, he can also be good as a number nine, but he needs players around him. Because he can keep the ball, but he likes to make the run, he likes to combine. So it’s all about players around him. Also tactically, he’s really interesting because when I have him on the side, I know that something will happen. Or in behind, or we can use the fact that he’s on the wing to be able to attack through the middle. So it depends.”
