First impressions count, and Wilfried Nancy’s sadly haven’t been great at Celtic.
Ever since a 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Celtic Park in his first game, his start has got progressively worse.
And after his defeat in the Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren, media and fan opinion has become even more damning.
Beyond the results, the Frenchman’s ‘optics’ have provided further ammo for his critics, and many fans winced at Nancy’s social media post on Tuesday night.
And as he searches for his first win against Dundee United, Rod Stewart has joined in on those criticising him.
Wilfried Nancy posts diagram about control on X (formerly twitter)
Rod Stewart on Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy
What makes Nancy’s position even more difficult is the success that Martin O’Neill had before him.
The Hoops legend won seven out of his eight matches after replacing Brendan Rodgers.
READ MORE: Wilfried Nancy discusses Luis Enrique, friends in jail and why he isn’t a ‘weak guy’ at Celtic
And Stewart surely isn’t alone in wishing that he was still at the helm.
He said on TalkSPORT: “I’m sure everyone’s tired of talking about it, but yes, I would love him back.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen. We’d have to pay Nancy off, and I don’t think that’s going to happen either.
“What I don’t understand is why he didn’t come in and continue the way that Martin O’Neill was playing. Against Hearts, we had three at the back, and the three of them were left-footed players.
“I’m raging. I’m raging.
“[O’Neill] is so loved. He’s also a gentleman, and he talks well. I don’t want to run this Nancy guy down, because I don’t know him.
“But I’ve seen him in interviews, and I can’t quite understand what he’s saying. And if he talks to the players like that, they certainly don’t know what he’s talking about.
“So there’s a breakdown there, for a start. Listen – we’ve got to get over [Dundee United]. We can’t just get rid of this guy by tomorrow.
“If we lose tonight, I don’t know what’s going to happen. Riots in our part of Glasgow.”
“Of course [Hearts could win the league.] If we carry on like we carry on, I think [Rangers] could actually overtake us.”
Sir Rod Stewart slates Wilfried Nancy
Wilfried Nancy’s upcoming fixtures at Celtic
It’s back to Celtic Park after the Tannadice clash, where Nancy will face an Aberdeen side unbeaten in seven Scottish Premiership matches.
Hoops fans know all too well how difficult it is away at Livingston, and that’s what awaits Celtic on December 27th.
The fixture is back-to-back with an away game at Fir Park. The Celts have enjoyed many of their recent matches away at Motherwell, but the Steelmen look like a different proposition this season.
Nancy’s first game of 2026 is his first Glasgow Derby, at home to Rangers.
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