Nancy urges Celtic fans to keep the faith as wait for first win continues

Wilfried Nancy urged Celtic's supporters to keep the faith despite his winless run stretching to four matches following a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United. 

Nancy watched on as Daizen Maeda's opener was overturned by quickfire strikes from Krisztian Keresztes and Zachary Sapsford in the second half on Wednesday. 

The former Columbus Crew boss was greeted with boos from the travelling fans following the full-time whistle, with the pressure already beginning to mount on the Frenchman. 

Indeed, Nancy became the second Celtic manager to lose both of his first two league games in charge of the Scottish giants, after Wim Jansen in August 1997.

Celtic also lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since December 10, 2023, against Kilmarnock (55 games without defeat).

Nancy, however, remains optimistic about the future of his new team, suggesting that only the finest of margins cost his side from taking all three points at Tannadice Park. 

"I can understand," Nancy told BBC Scotland of the jeers he faced. "I am a human being and disappointed and the connection with the fans is important for me.

"But we had clear chances, and we have to help the players with that. We have to work on certain things.

"It's difficult for the club and the players, the staff and myself. But again, it's difficult for me to talk.  We've lost four games in a row, but today we were close to winning the game.

"It's the direction we have to keep going in, and we have to be stronger to avoid conceding these kinds of goals."

The visitors ended the game with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.75 from 17 shots, though only two were on target, compared to Dundee's 1.16 from 17 attempts. 

Maeda also hit the post late on with a header, but even while in the ascendency, they were unable to carve out a clear-cut opportunity to test Dundee goalkeeper Dave Richards. 

Celtic's defeat means that for the first time since 1991, Hearts will top the Scottish Premiership at the turn of the year, with Nancy's men six points adrift of the leaders after 16 games of their season.

When asked if Celtic was the right club for him, Nancy replied: "Come on – I know the situation. Everybody wants to win, me too.

"But I know there is improvement. Context. Just step back, have a look at the context.

"The idea is to see what we can do, what we can do to improve the team, the players and I think I am in a good direction with the players.

"Today you saw we had a good performance. But in three minutes we lost the game. For the moment, that's the factual situation.

"I can understand the fans are not happy with me. I want a connection with the fans, but that is hard when we don't win."