The early shoots of recovery at Celtic under Wilfried Nancy have withered and died. Any optimism generated by back-to-back wins was brutally extinguished at Fir Park, where the French manager's side produced a wretched, error-strewn performance in a 2-0 defeat to Motherwell.
A Tactical Schooling at Fir Park
This was not merely a loss; it was a comprehensive tactical dismantling. From the first whistle, Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell were polished, cohesive, and streets ahead of the Scottish champions. In stark contrast, Celtic looked lost and confused within Nancy's convoluted 3-4-3 system. The players appeared ill-suited to its demands, unconvincing in attack and alarmingly vulnerable in transition.
The match, ironically dubbed 'El Passico', was anything but a passing spectacle from Celtic's perspective. Motherwell controlled the contest with slick interplay, while Celtic's play descended into chaos. One first-half sequence saw the ball pinball around a crowded penalty area like a schoolyard game, perfectly symbolising the team's current lack of structure and clarity.
Defensive Shambles and a Famous Motherwell Victory
The defensive frailties that have plagued Nancy's start were laid bare for both goals. The opener after 14 minutes was farcical. Stephen O'Donnell's hopeful cross from distance should have been dealt with easily, but Ibrahim Said was left unmarked to plant a diving header past Kasper Schmeichel.
Any hope of a second-half response evaporated just 13 minutes after the restart. Schmeichel's poor pass to substitute Arne Engels was pounced upon, leading to a blocked effort falling for Elliot Watt, who thumped home Motherwell's second. The home side, ending a 35-game winless run against Celtic, could have scored more, with Elijah Just and Callum Slattery going close.
For Celtic, it was a night of collective failure. Benjamin Nygren's errant passing, Anthony Ralston's struggles in a back-three, and the ineffectiveness of Daizen Maeda summed up a pitiful display. Half-time substitutions changed little, and the 17th defeat of 2025 leaves the club staring at a potential free-fall, with Rangers now able to draw level on points.
Mounting Pressure on Nancy's Project
Seven games into his reign, the alarming pattern is set. This defeat, following four straight initial losses, puts Nancy back to square one. The fundamental issue is a glaring disconnect between the manager's complex tactical vision and the players' ability to execute it. There is little visible faith in the squad or the mid-season project, a sentiment now shared by the travelling supporters who witnessed this surrender.
While Motherwell and the impressive Askou enjoy a stellar season, Celtic's ambitions of going top of the table were left in tatters in Lanarkshire. The question now is whether Nancy can simplify his approach and find a formula that works, or if the chaos will continue. On this evidence, the latter seems a growing possibility.
