Celtic’s current crisis represents a sharp collapse from recent success. Under Martin O’Neill, the Scottish champions had won 7 of their previous 8 matches, showing momentum and stability. That run ended following the appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
Wilfried Nancy joined Celtic 2 weeks ago, taking charge of a club already divided internally. Before his arrival, Celtic were on a 5-game winning streak. The former MLS Coach of the Year inherited a squad dealing with a long injury list and growing tension between the board and supporters.
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Celtic’s Strong Run Before the Collapse
The sudden decline began on 7 December, when Celtic hosted Hearts in the Scottish Premiership and suffered a 1-2 home defeat. That loss marked the start of their worst phase of the season.
The situation worsened days later in a European competition. Celtic hosted Roma in the UEFA Europa League and endured a heavy 0-3 defeat, exposing defensive frailties and a lack of cohesion. Their problems continued in the domestic cup competition. Celtic lost 1-3 to St Mirren in the League Cup, bringing further pressure on the squad and management.
The most recent setback came against Dundee United, where Celtic suffered a 1-2 defeat, their first loss to Dundee United in 11 years. That result confirmed a run of 4 consecutive defeats, something the club had not experienced since 1978.
During this period, Wilfried Nancy’s record deteriorated rapidly. Celtic lost all 4 matches under his management, conceding 10 goals and scoring just 3. The run also included the loss of 1 domestic cup final. Despite claims of improvement, there have been no visible signs of progress on the pitch.
As a result of this sequence of defeats, Celtic now sit 2nd in the Premiership table with 32 points from 16 league matches. Their record stands at 10 wins, 2 draws, and 4 defeats, underlining the impact of this sudden collapse.
The wider consequences are also visible in the title race. Hearts are now set to be top of the league at Christmas, becoming the first non-Old Firm club to achieve that position since 1993, highlighting the scale of Celtic’s decline.
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Recruitment Failures Add to the Crisis
Recruitment decisions have come under increasing scrutiny. In an October meeting with supporter groups, CEO Michael Nicholson confirmed that Paul Tisdale identified transfer targets. Celtic invested £12 million in attacking players Yamada, Balikwisha, and Tounekti, yet the trio has delivered only 2 goals and 2 assists combined throughout the season.
Tisdale also identified Wilfried Nancy as the managerial appointment, having worked with Nancy’s assistant, Kwame Ampadu, for 4 years at Exeter City. However, the results suggest those decisions have failed at the highest level.
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Celtic’s inability to score goals, combined with repeated recruitment errors, has left the club in a deeply unstable position. Paul Tisdale’s tenure as head of recruitment has proven ineffective, and the evidence suggests he should be relieved of his duties immediately.
FAQs
1. When did Celtic’s collapse begin this season?
Celtic’s collapse began on 7 December, when they lost 2-1 at home to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
2. How many games has Wilfried Nancy lost as Celtic manager?
Wilfried Nancy has lost all 4 matches he has managed so far at Celtic.
3. What is Wilfried Nancy’s record at Celtic?
Nancy’s record stands at 4 games, 4 losses, 10 goals conceded, 3 goals scored, and 1 domestic cup final lost.
4. Which teams beat Celtic during this losing run?
Celtic lost to Hearts (2-1), Roma (3-0), St Mirren (3-1), and Dundee United (2-1).
5. When did Celtic last lose 4 straight matches before this season?
Celtic last lost 4 consecutive matches back in 1978.
