Celtic's season plunged to a fresh nadir on Tayside following a dismal 2-1 defeat to Dundee United, marking a fourth consecutive loss and piling unprecedented pressure on new manager Wilfried Nancy.
Profligacy and Fragility Punished at Tannadice
Despite dominating the first half at Tannadice, Celtic's wastefulness in front of goal proved costly. The team's performance collapsed after the interval, allowing a resurgent Dundee United to score twice and complete a damaging turnaround. The pattern of failing to withstand pressure, previously seen against Hearts, Roma, and St Mirren, repeated itself brutally.
Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo, handed a rare start, acknowledged the team's mental fragility. "We lost control of the game, then United came for us and we shook a little bit," he admitted. "We are probably more nervous than usual... We need to calm down a little bit as a group."
Bernardo Calls for Collective Responsibility
While the inquest has focused heavily on Nancy's tactics and decisions, Bernardo was quick to deflect criticism from the French coach. He stressed that the squad must shoulder significant blame for their current predicament.
"One hundred percent we need to take responsibility as well," Bernardo insisted. "It's not all about the coach, it's us as well. It wasn't Nancy who repeatedly failed to score when it was harder to miss." He also defended the manager's much-debated 3-4-3 system, stating he feels personally comfortable with the formation.
A Fraught Atmosphere Ahead of Aberdeen Clash
The growing discontent among supporters was audible during the midweek loss, adding to the anxiety on the pitch. Bernardo understands the fans' frustration but knows the team must block out the noise.
"The fans know, we know, the coach knows and the Aberdeen players know that as well," he said, looking ahead to the next fixture. "So, they probably will play with that. But we are professional footballers and we need to be calm."
Bernardo compared the intense scrutiny at Parkhead to that at clubs like Barcelona, where a short losing run sparks immediate speculation. With Nancy just four games into his tenure, the need for a swift reversal in fortunes is critical. The visit of Aberdeen now looms as a must-win encounter to halt the slide and restore belief.
