Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has finally broken his duck, securing a crucial first victory at the fifth attempt with a dramatic 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park. The result lifts significant pressure from the Frenchman's shoulders and reignites Celtic's pursuit of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
Late Show Seals Vital Three Points for Under-Pressure Boss
Entering the weekend, Nancy's tenure was under intense scrutiny after a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, including last Sunday's Premier Sports Cup final loss to St Mirren. The prospect of another setback loomed when ten-man Aberdeen scored a shock equaliser with just 16 minutes remaining.
However, displaying the grit their manager demanded, Celtic responded emphatically. Late goals from Kieran Tierney and James Forrest turned despair into delirium, sealing a 3-1 win that moves the defending champions to within six points of Hearts with a game in hand.
Nancy Hails Celtic's Fighting Spirit and Resilience
In his post-match comments, a visibly relieved Nancy focused on the character shown by his players. "I'm really proud of what they did," he stated. "Their heads could have gone down but they didn't do it. They kept attacking."
He described the relentless pressure his team applied: "Attack, attack, attack, waves, waves, waves. The two goals we scored were the reward for the grit and the resilience that they showed." Nancy also pointed to a perceived lack of fortune in his early games, referencing a contentious goal conceded against Hearts and a missed penalty versus Roma.
"I don't believe in luck but since I've been here I haven't had any," he remarked, before reiterating his pride in the squad's response to adversity. For the first time since replacing Martin O'Neill, Nancy felt his team delivered a complete 90-minute performance worthy of a positive result.
Setting Sights on the Premiership Summit
With the win secured, Nancy immediately shifted focus to the league table and the challenge ahead. "We chase anybody," he declared. "The idea is to compete with ourselves. After that, the standings, we'll see."
This statement sets a clear target: closing the gap on Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership. The victory provides a foundational platform for Nancy's project at Celtic, proving his players are willing to fight for him and the badge during difficult moments.
Aberdeen Boss Thelin Admits Defeat Was Fair
Across the technical area, Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was left to rue his side's inability to hold on for a point against the odds. While frustrated, he conceded the better team won on the day.
"We were a little lucky in the first 10-15 minutes of the second half," Thelin admitted. "After that, I think we did a quite stable performance... but it's a fair result." He praised his players' work ethic and team spirit but acknowledged that Celtic's late quality ultimately told.
For Celtic and Wilfried Nancy, this was more than just three points; it was a necessary lifeline and a statement of intent for the Premiership campaign ahead.
