Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy loses first two Scottish Premiership games, fans fret
Wilfried Nancy has become the first Celtic boss in the club’s modern era to lose his opening two league matches, a development that has sent ripples through the Celtic faithful. The defeats – a 2-0 loss at home to St Johnstone followed by a 1-1 draw away at Kilmarnock – leave the Glasgow giants with just one point after 12 days of action.
Supporters gathered at Celtic Park on Saturday with hopes of a fresh start under the Frenchman, only to watch the side concede early goals and struggle to impose their traditional possession‑based rhythm. A frustrated Nancy was quoted after the Kilmarnock game: “We have to be honest – the performances are not where we expect them to be. We will work on the details and get back on track.”
Key Details of the Early Setback
The opening loss came on 17 August 2024 when Celtic hosted St Johnstone in the first round of the 2024‑25 Scottish Premiership. Despite dominating possession at 62%, Celtic were caught out by a quick counter‑attack, with Ryan Christie netting the decisive goal in the 23rd minute. A second goal from the visitors in the 68th minute sealed a 2-0 defeat – the first home loss for Celtic in the opening game of a season since 2005.
The second fixture, on 24 August, saw Celtic travel to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock. A solitary goal from Liam Boyce gave the visitors a 1-1 draw, leaving Celtic with a goal‑difference of minus one after two games. Both matches were part of the 12‑team Scottish Premiership, which splits into a top‑six and bottom‑six after 33 fixtures, making early points crucial for a title challenge.
Analysis and Historical Context
Historically, Celtic managers have never begun a league campaign with two defeats. The club’s most recent comparable start was under Neil Lennon in the 2015‑16 season, when the team drew the first game but quickly recovered. Nancy’s record, therefore, marks a statistical low point and fuels concerns over the squad’s adaptation to his tactical blueprint, which emphasizes high‑pressing and fluid attacking triangles.
In terms of squad changes, Celtic entered the season with several key departures – notably the sale of forward Odsonne Édouard and the retirement of veteran defender Virgil van Dijk – while integrating new signings such as midfielder João Pedro and centre‑back Romain Saïss. The lack of cohesion has been evident; midfielders have struggled to link play, and the defensive line has been vulnerable to pacey wingers, a weakness exploited by St Johnstone’s wing‑backs.
Fan sentiment has been vocal on social media, with the Celtic Supporters Club urging patience but also demanding accountability. The club’s recent European campaign, which saw Celtic exit the Champions League qualifiers, adds pressure, as the league form will dictate seeding for next season’s Europa League.
Looking Ahead
Celtic’s next challenge arrives on 31 August when they host Rangers in the Old Firm derby – a match that could either restore confidence or deepen the crisis. A win would not only close the points gap with league leaders Aberdeen but also provide a psychological lift ahead of the Scottish Cup third‑round tie against lower‑league side Airdrieonians on 7 September.
Manager Nancy has indicated that tactical tweaks, including a more compact midfield shape and increased use of wing‑backs, will be trialled in training. The upcoming fixtures will test whether those adjustments can translate into points before the league’s split, a phase where every win carries amplified weight.
For a club accustomed to dominance, the early setbacks are a stark reminder that even giants can stumble. The next few weeks will determine if Wilfried Nancy can reshape Celtic’s trajectory and reassure a fanbase that expects silverware, or if the season will become a prolonged battle to reclaim the standards set by previous eras.
