Wilfried Nancy has pointed to his players’ inability to maintain composure as the primary reason behind Celtic’s dramatic loss to St Mirren. Despite the mounting pressure, he remains steadfast in his belief that the team’s system is not at fault.

Adding to his unfortunate distinction as the first manager at Parkhead to lose his initial two games, Nancy’s tenure took another hit following a lackluster performance in the League Cup final. This latest defeat has plunged the club into a state of crisis.

While the discontented Celtic supporters at Hampden directed much of their anger toward the club’s board, scrutiny over the former Columbus Crew manager’s capabilities is intensifying.

Nonetheless, Nancy maintains that the team’s tactical framework is not the issue. He attributes the struggles to the players’ inability to handle challenging situations, firmly stating, “No, not at all.”

“To be honest,” he elaborated, “we delivered strong performances in the first half against Hearts, the second half against Roma, and again in the first half today. My role is to question everything and seek solutions. That’s our responsibility.”

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has lost three successive games since taking charge

Captain Callum McGregor was unable to inspire his side to a second-half fightback 

Nancy insists he has full confidence that he can get this group of players performing again

Nancy further defended the team’s current structure, asserting, “The framework we had was compelling. We managed to play wide, navigate through the center, and attack the box effectively.”

‘To me, this is (about) taking care of the ball and this is the only way to maximise our chance to do better.

‘When I talk about the lack of confidence, I don’t know if this is a good word to use. Don’t forget, I am a French guy.

‘Since I am here, I have seen really, really good things that they do and I want them to repeat that because I know they can do it.

‘But, as soon as there is something that is a bit difficult, we have too much doubt. It is in this moment that I want to help them.

‘That is why I was waving on the side. Because I knew what they can do. It is about individually how we can connect.

‘Sometimes it can be to keep the ball, sometimes it can be instead of rushing to play (to be) a bit more calm, to have more composure. This is my concern.

‘This is about the composure that we can have a little bit more. When we have this I really believe we can do something good.’

Celtic had no response once Jonah Ayunga headed St Mirren in front in the second half

Asked for his message to fans who may already have lost faith in his ability, the 48-year-old said: ‘I can understand. I tell them that I want to do better, for sure.

‘But I am asking them, not to be patient, but to trust what I am going to say regarding (that) I can see what we are trying to do.

‘My point is I can see something good, but this is not enough. We are not able to be consistent. I can understand the fans. It is totally normal.’

‘I can ask the fans to believe in me, and to trust I can do things, but that is not my job. I have to act instead of talking.’

Yesterday’s loss came on the back of falling six points behind Hearts in the title race. Nancy claimed he has the character to do the job even as the sense of crisis deepens.

‘Yes, no doubt,’ he said. ‘Because what we want to do, we did, and I am confident in that. If you don’t know me, you may think that I am all over the place. No.

‘I know exactly what we need to do to help the players adapt. We had many, many situations where we were exactly on what we wanted to do and what I am looking for.’

Celtic were forced to watch on as St Mirren celebrated their first trophy win since 2013

On growing disquiet in the stands, he added: ‘Before I came here, I knew the club, knew the standing of the club. For me, this is not an issue. I know what I can do. 

‘For the moment, the fact is these are not the results that we wanted. But, in terms of the way we want to do it, I am really confident of that. The reality is in the last three games the results have not been there.’

Nancy feels he now has a better idea of where he needs to strengthen in January.

‘Yes, this is something that we discuss before I came,’ he continued. ‘But the idea was to know a little bit more the players. 

‘Now, step by step, I know the players a little bit more. Not the players, but the way they train, the way they behave.

‘For me, this is something I can see. Again, we are working with the club to see what we can do during the window. But, for me, it is more about what I have now and what I can do to do be better with the players.’