Wilfried Nancy is grappling with a disconcerting challenge at Celtic, where a persistent vulnerability to set-pieces has marred his early days as head coach. The Frenchman has openly questioned the mindset of his players, seeking to address this persistent weakness that has contributed to a rocky start in his new role.

Bracing himself for the wave of criticism following the team’s unfortunate losing streak, Nancy acknowledges that the responsibility does not fall solely on his shoulders. Since taking over from interim manager Martin O’Neill two and a half weeks ago, he stresses that his players must also own up to their part in the careless goals conceded during matches.

The spotlight intensified on this issue during their encounter at Tannadice, where Celtic’s defensive frailties were laid bare once more. In a dramatic turnaround, United capitalized on two corner kicks within a brief three-minute span, overturning a lead to secure a 2-1 victory that added further pressure on Nancy’s tenure.

“This is one of the most challenging aspects of being a manager,” admitted the 48-year-old Nancy. “Set pieces are not about technique or tactics; they are about mentality. It’s about those crucial 10 seconds of play, and we’ve been conceding too frequently during these moments. Against Dundee United, we performed well on the initial contact during corners, but faltered on the subsequent opportunities.”

‘This is one of the most difficult things as a manager,’ said the 48-year-old. ‘Because set pieces, this is not about technique or tactics, this is mental.

Wilfried Nancy tries to get his message across to players during 2-1 defeat at Tannadice

The Frenchman is frustrated with the cheap goals his team are conceding from set-pieces

Nancy has a brief word with Celtic skipper Callum McGregor during the Tannadice game

‘This is 10 seconds (of play) and we have conceded a lot with that. I think that, against Dundee United, we were good on the first contact (at corners) but on the second contact or third contact, we struggled a bit.

‘Before that (in previous games), we were not good on the first contact. So, again, this is tough to concede like this, because I think we deserve better. But the reality is for the moment we conceded many goals that way.

‘That’s why this is tough because, if we concede (from open play) during the game, I don’t talk the same way. But, at this moment, we concede like this and that’s why for me it’s difficult to explain to you what I feel. Because I really feel that we did well but, at the same time, we conceded like this.

‘For me, my job is to help the players find solutions to win games. And I think that, on Wednesday, we were close to doing it.

‘To be honest, I have nothing to tell them that they did bad, but the three minutes we conceded, it was difficult emotionally to come back. But we came back, we hit the post, we had two or three clear chances.

‘Yeah, this is tough. I told the players, I’m going to take the flak. I’m going to take it because this is my job. But we also have to be better.’

Celtic remain six points behind leaders Hearts in the title race, with a game in hand on the Gorgie club, and are three points ahead of third-placed Rangers.

With some supporters already calling for him to be sacked, Nancy faces a crucial fixture at home to Aberdeen on Sunday as Celtic bid to avoid losing five consecutive games for the first time since the infamous 1947-48 season when they avoided relegation on the last day of the league campaign.

Agony for the Celtic players as Krisztian Keresztes equalises for Dundee United

Celtic were then floored as Zac Sapsford turned the game around for United with winning goal

The former Montreal and Columbus Crew manager’s adherence to his favoured 3-4-3 formation, under which the players have looked largely uncomfortable so far, is unlikely to change.

Nancy defended himself against accusations of tactical inflexibility and insisted he is constantly making in-game tweaks to the set-up of his team.

‘I get the question but, if you watch all the games that we play, all the time I adjusted something,’ he said.

‘Against Dundee United, I think what we did was interesting. With the way we attack, we had many opportunities.

‘The idea is not to stay still to this. We have improvement all the time and I have to change certain things to see players, but also to see how we can adjust with players, how we can mix players together. And I think that, in every game, I did it.

‘My job is to still do it for the next game and again and again and again. So it doesn’t change for that.

‘Every game is important. So, obviously, with the context, this is more difficult, I mean in terms of wins. But all games that I play, all games that we play are to win. This is many, many games in a row, but I knew that before coming in. This is the way it is.’