Wilfried Nancy under pressure – LIVE updates

Thierry Henry has urged Celtic to to stick with under-fire Wilfried Nancy as the pressure mounts on the embattled boss.

The Arsenal icon had his fellow Frenchman as his assistant at Montreal and reckons it would be the wrong call to wield the axe after such a short space of time.

Nancy was slapped with brutal fan chants in the wake of his fourth consecutive defeat against Dundee United as punters inside Tannadice told him to "get to f***".

The 48-year-old retains the full backing of the Parkhead board, however, Nancy will be acutely aware he can ill-afford another defeat when Aberdeen travel to Celtic Park on Sunday.

Now he has received weight support from one of the most revered players in football history.

Speaking after the BBC Sports Personality awards, Henry cam out in support.

I see people calling for him to leave the place. Let him work and let him cook and judge him maybe at the end of the season.

Brendan Rodgers is planning an astonishing bid to take Callum McGregor to Saudi Arabia, according to a report.

The former Celtic boss gave his first press conference in Saudi since taking the Al-Qadsiah job today and there was little mention of his time at Parkhead, which came to a fraught end in October after a fallout with the board – in particular supremo Dermot Desmond.

But the fractured relationship could be set to get even worse as the Scottish Sun report he wants to rock the boat by launching an ambitious bid to sign captain McGregor for his new club.

It's claimed the Irishman is personally pushing for the long-serving skipper to be one of his first signings. It would be the second time he'd tried to lure the 32-year-old away having made efforts to sign him for Leicester in 2019.

It's added however that Celtic are ready to fight to keep him even if a life-changing offer from the Middle East does come his way.

Any bid for McGregor wouldn't win Rodgers any fans among the Celtic support who would be devastated to lose one of their leaders and key players, particularly at a time when they're desperately struggling under Wilfried Nancy.

McGregor has two-and-a-half years to run on his contract and isn't thought to be in any hurry to leave. It remains to be seen if the chance to reunite with Rodgers, and an outrageous amount of cash, would change that.

Birmingham are reportedly ready to come back to the table and seal a £3m move for Celtic winger Yang.

The Korean winger was heavily linked with a move down south in the summer that would have reunited him with Kyogo in the west midlands.

A deal wasn't struck at the time but now Sky Sports are reporting they have renewed their interest.

Norwich and Preston North End are both understood to be keen.

Dundee boss Steven Pressley says Brendan Rodgers told him a few things about his situation at Celtic just days before he left the club – and his exit soon after wasn't exactly a surprise.

A 2-0 defeat at Dens Park was one of Rodgers' final games in charge of the club as tensions with the board finally hit breaking point just a week later. Defeat to Hearts was the final straw with Rodgers leaving under a cloud, followed out the door by a scathing statement from Dermot Desmond.

He's since returned to management in Saudi Arabia with Celtic struggling under Wilfried Nancy – whose four straight defeats have fans already calling for his head.

As far as Rodgers goes though, Dundee gaffer Pressley wasn't exactly surprised to see him walk.

Because he'd had a sitdown with him at Dens Park before the October game and could already sense his 'frustration' at that point.

Paying off Wilfried Nancy wouldn't come cheap for Celtic – but could it be even more costly to let the under-fire boss loose with £20m to spend in January?

That's the unenviable question facing the board at Parkhead and the pundits have urged them to hurry up and make up their mind. Nancy's appointment has been a catastrophe so far and chants of 'Nancy get to f***' were among the repertoire in the away end during last night's 2-1 defeat away to Dundee United. Fans have already lost faith in him and while the board aren't going to pull the trigger imminently, it already looks like a long way back for the Frenchman less than two weeks into the job.

After a dismal summer transfer window, it's critical Celtic get things right in January and Michael Nicholson has already made it clear they're ready to spend to back the manager. But would throwing financial muscle behind a universally unpopular manager run a higher risk than cutting their losses and jettisoning him before he gets the chance to spend?

Partick Thistle striker and former Hoops hitman Tony Watt posed that question on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard – though he feels it would be 'premature' to get rid of him at this stage...

Kasper Schmeichel's facial expression here just about says it all about the state of play at Celtic.

Not a happy camp!

It was all about keeping the spirits up at Celtic training today as Wilfried Nancy started the rescue mission at Lennoxtown.

The Frenchman is already holding on by a thread but wasn't letting it get him down as he put his players through their paces ahead of Saturday's clash with Aberdeen.

There was a big handshake for Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – could the Man City loanee play a key part in the recovery effort?

Emotional Luke McCowan admits the strain of Celtic's rotten form has left him distanced from those closest to him and has no answers for his nearest and dearest.

The 28-year-old cut a dejected figure after the final whistle after the 2-1 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice. He could barely comprehend after the Premiership champions collapsed to a fourth consecutive defeat under Wilfried Nancy's watch.

McCowan – starting in the left wing-back berth – admits his Celtic-daft family have been left on read with Scottish football's dominant force being reduced to a pale imitation of their former selves.

Nancy was met with brutal fan chants as fans told the 48-year-old where to go as they pined for former interim Martin O'Neill.

But McCowan's ire comes from within and the dawning that his boyhood club are falling flat on their faces and he's been bereft of explanations to those who matter most to him.

That's the question people are reasonably beginning to ask.

'Nightmare' doesn't cover it for Wilfried Nancy after four straight defeats to start his tenure and, while it looks like the club aren't pressing the eject button quite yet, he needs the turnaround to start now if he wants to go into 2026 in a job.

Aberdeen next up at Parkhead this weekend before a rapid-fire double-header away to Livingston and Motherwell to see out the year.

And then it's derby day on January 3.

Whether or not Nancy will still be the manager by then though looks in serious doubt.

Former Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen looks set to land another job in Belgium amid links with Celtic.

Martin O’Neill took over from Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis in October after Dermot Desmond lashed out at the 'divisive" gaffer in a scathing statement. The 45-year-old was in the Brugge hot seat at the time and was said to be on the Hoops' radar.

Hayen took up the reins at the Jan Breydel Stadium in March 2024, guiding the side to the league title shortly after his arrival before adding more silverware by capturing a cup double in his first full campaign in charge.

Hayen masterminded a 9-1 aggregate victory over Rangers in the play-off qualification round for the Champions League back in August and also faced Celtic themselves last season, impressing in a goalless draw at Parkhead, as he led the side to the last 16 of the competition.

At the time, Hayen opened the door to Celtic Park as he replied "never say never" over a switch and the 45-year-old conceded he knew he was on shortlists of certain clubs. In the end, the Scottish champions would appoint Wilfried Nancy as boss.

Amid mounting pressure, Hayen opened the door once again to Glasgow’s east end - but HLN report he is in talks to charge of Genk after Thorsten Fink was sacked earlier this week.

Paulo Bernardo reckons Celtic ARE improving under Wilfried Nancy despite four consecutive defeats.

The midfielder insists that the players are just as accountable as the manager:

I think it’s about momentum. It’s a different system and Celtic in the last five or six years I think haven’t played as a back five or a three, but it’s not all about the coach. We have to do better as well. In the first half the ideas of the coach worked really well and we showed we can hurt teams as well. I think the first half is one of the best of the season. The process is not going well in terms of wins, but we are improving game by game.

You can forget those Wilfried Nancy rumours – for now at least.

Celtic sources are admant there are no discussions between the board about binning Nancy, an allegation that came from a journalist from another outlet.

Sure the Frenchman remains under pressure but the club insist it’s not coming from them amid fan fury after a woeful run of losses.

Wilfried Nancy took Celtic training on Thursday – amid swirling speculation over the beleagured boss' future.

Nancy has been in charge for only two weeks yet is already on the brink after four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Rumours are abound that Nancy could be near his Celtic end game with fans telling him where to go after the 2-1 defeat at Tannadice.

Stiliyan Petrov reckons something must be done about Wilfried Nancy - either change in the dugout or picking up wins quickly.

And he reckons that Martin O’Neill could be brought back if the “inevitable” happens.

He told Sky Sports:

The Celtic fans have seen so much success, and they haven’t seen at this moment they just haven’t seen anything from the players or the manager. They just want something done, either a change or results.

Asked about his tactical style, Petrov responded:

What tactics? We haven’t seen nothing yet. You can only talk about tactics if you see something positive, and the positive thing is winning games. At the moment, the only judgement is negative towards Wilfried Nancy. I kind of feel sorry for him. Watching his interview last night, I kind of feel sorry for him. You know what, it’s not his fault. But unfortunately, you have the opportunity to be Celtic manager and you have to produce, and produce quickly.

Asked if Martin O'Neill could return, he said:

That would be interesting - why not? If you don’t win games the change is inevitable and the fans will be expecting.

What does the future hold for the Celtic boss? Well, it goes much deeper than that.

Celtic are locked in a death spiral and have spectacularly managed to disembowel themselves – Keith Jackson

An insider hasn't held back on the Hoops hierarchy are he revealed the truth behind the "interim" boss label.

Martin O'Neill insider leaks Celtic truth over Wilfried Nancy decision as icon 'wasn't just' an interim boss

Former Celtic director Willie Haughey has heard “stories” about Wilfried Nancy telling the players they will play a new position.

To adapt to his 3-4-3 system, the likes of Luke McCowan, Yang and Liam Scales have undertaken new roles in the side.

Haughey told the Let Me Be Frank podcast:

The guy seems clever, right?

So see if you’re clever. You do your homework on the club. And you work out, in the last 25 years, we have won 24 trophies by playing 4-3-3.

We have recruited players to fit a system when you play 4-3-3. So you don’t go in, in the first game and go, ‘I’m going to 3-5-2, whether I’ve got the personnel or not’.

And if the stories are true about bringing players in and saying, ‘Right, I want you to think like a right back now, because you’re going to be a right back’ and you’re looking going, ‘What?’

What happens there is your ego’s getting in the way and what you’re doing is you’re playing God.

Tim Sherwood reckons that the pressure IS justified on Wilfried Nancy - because the Celtic boss is failing at an “easy” job.

The former Aston Villa and Tottenham boss reckons that the “high pressure” job is “only about beating Rangers” to the title telling Sky Sports:

Yes, because it’s Celtic Football Club. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. I always look at the Celtic job and thing it’s one of the easiest jobs because you only have to beat Rangers. I know Hearts are poking their noses into the situation, but i’s one of those jobs where you are in a high-pressure situation but you have all the tools, and the best players. You have to win the league and if you do you can stay for a very long time or jump to the Premier League and try your luck. For me, it’s one of the biggest, best and easiest jobs in European football.

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Alan Brazil has urged Celtic to show the door to WIlfried Nancy - and quickly bring back Martin O'Neill.

The Hoops' diehard admits he would like to bring in Kieran McKenna - but a hasty return to the former interim boss would be more likely. He told talkSPORT:

I have been asked the question, do I want to see change at Celtic? Yes I do. I want another manager. I don’t think he realises what it’s all about. How can you say we are on the right track? I am sick of excuses. I would bring Martin back. I would love the boy from Ipswich, Kieran McKenna, but I don’t think he would come.

The under-fire insists he knows all about Scottish football because he nearly signed for English league side Carlisle as a player.

Celtic remain six points behind leaders Hearts but now have just one game in hand ahead of the weekend clash with Aberdeen.

Nancy made history by losing his first two games as Celtic boss. He’s followed that up by making it a woeful four.

But the former Columbus Crew boss insists he hasn’t underestimated Scottish football.

No. I know Scottish football. I know the way it is. I come from France, I come from Europe. I was close to signing for Carlisle when I was a player.

I know exactly where I am. It is Scottish football, it is physical. There is a lot of intensity and fight and the referee don’t stop it a lot. You are talking like this but I take it and I know we are improving.

I know as a coach we are judged on results. That is why it is difficult to accept personally. I know we are on the right track. But I have to accept the situation and stand in front of you and the fans are not happy too, I have to take that.

Credit to Derek Watson for this belter.

Celtic have lost more games in the last 10 days than Motherwell have all season

Yes, telling Nancy to GTF was pronounced but the chant for Martin O'Neill carried even more weight.

Fans are dazed and confused and seeking answers.

But what comes next?

We'll soon found it!

Aberdeen (H)

Livingston (A)

Motherwell (A)

Rangers (H)

Dundee United (H)

Ally McCoist reckons Celtic have lost their “fear factor” as he lamented Wilfried Nancy’s “car crash” post Dundee United interview.

The Hoops boss insisted the club were still progressing under his 3-4-3 football philosophy despite a fourth consecutive defeat. McCoist told talkSPORT:

Do you know something? Some of these interviews after games are car crash. Where does he go? He has to win games. He can talk about seeing things, but they are really missing Carter-Vickers. He has just got to start winning games. They are playing Aberdeen at the weekend, they have got to win that. Clubs smell blood, the fear factor is gone.

And he insists that there is no doubt that Hearts are in the title race after the latest stumble by the struggling Hoops:

We are talking about Rangers and Celtic, as we have for a number of years, as favourites to win the title. But Hearts absolutely must come into the equation. Derek and the boys be saying ‘that is an incredible result - now if we can go and get a result against Rangers it opens up an even bigger gap, and puts a dent in Celtic’s title hopes. For the first time in a long time we might have a three horse race.

The Celtic board have already dropped a major hint they plan to stick with struggling boss Wilfried Nancy after his worst-ever start as Parkhead boss. The Frenchman has lost all four of his games so far.

Nancy is just days into his tenure after swapping Columbus Crew for the Scottish champions, but has racked up losses to league leaders Hearts, Roma in the Europa League and St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final.

At Tannadice things went from bad to worse as Celtic stumbled to a 2-1 defeat to Dundee United as they passed up a host of chances to win the game. Fans would sing the name of Martin O'Neill - the former interim boss who won seven out of eight games - as well as chanting "Nancy get to f***".

But the boss was defiant in his post match comments as he insists he would not walk away from the job. Interim chairman Brian Wilson - who will take over from outgoing Peter Lawwell - has hinted the club are in no rush to make a change in the dugout in the midst of a "refresh."

READ MORE: The latest on Nancy

Not in formation, but in results!

I know they are upset. But we are close to winning games. At the moment, we are not able to do it.

But the players are giving everything, we try to find solutions for it and we are having many situations to score goals. But we didn't, we're still working and after that we'll see if we can have this win.

In terms of results it's tough. But in terms of possibility to win games, we are there.

We are on the right track, but this is not enough - I know that. We all want to win, but I'm confident because of the game we played and every time I see an improvement.

When the away fans tell you it's over, then it's hard to come back.

Michael Nicholson backed him before the game but it now seems that Nancy needs more than words.

A defeat to Aberdeen would leave Celtic in a dire position but would a win only be temporary relief?

Crestfallen Wilfried Nancy is fully aware of Celtic supporters' escalating rage as he promised a fanbase on the brink his side are close to winning games.

That belief will be scant consolation after diehards vented their spleen at their luckless manager following Dundee United's comeback 2-1 win which made it four consecutive defeats for the champions - the worst run since the 1970s.

Celtic's raging away fans let rip at the board on the day non-executive Peter Lawwell walked away over 'intolerable abuse and threats'.

Then the same fans told Nancy to 'get to f***' during the Tannadice turnaround and at the final whistle.

But the 48-year-old, unbowed amid mounting anger, promised fans he can turn it around and reckons that first victory is around the corner.