Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy gives extraordinary press conference and hits back at Rod Stewa

A fired-up Wilfried Nancy launched a passionate defence of his Celtic approach and begged supporters to afford him additional time during an extraordinary press conference. The embattled Parkhead chief has faced fierce criticism from Hoops supporters following a disastrous beginning to his reign - suffering defeat in five of his initial seven matches, including a devastating Premier Sports Cup Final loss.

Nancy - who has fallen to Hearts, Roma, St Mirren, Dundee United and Motherwell - confronts a massive challenge to reverse fortunes. Defeat against Rangers in Saturday's derby spectacular could witness Celtic drop to third position and fall even further adrift of table-toppers Hearts. However, Nancy maintains he can achieve success at Celtic, promising to die for the club as he responded to critics who are "killing" him during a passionate seven-minute speech. Read some highlights of the Frenchman's explosive 25-minute pre-match press conference at Lennoxtown below...

Q: You've faced a barrage of criticism about your system. It's almost uncomfortable to bring it up, given the constant scrutiny and claims that this system simply won't work. Have you considered changing it?

A: I contemplate changes every time. However, I also do my job, which involves analysing what we can improve, examining all the goals we've conceded, and determining whether the system is at fault. I've done this, and no, that's not the case. We've conceded many goals from set-pieces. The only time we had an issue with the system, which is normal, was when we played against Roma, specifically their second goal.

Beyond that, it wasn't about the system. For all the other goals we conceded, we had numerous players inside the box, and sometimes it turned into a chaotic game, as I've said, during transitions. Sometimes we were pushing for a goal, and we got caught out in the transition.

On the offensive side, we've had some really good moments too. As I've mentioned, we reviewed with the players all the opportunities we had at the start of the season. And I'm aware that the outcomes could have been different in terms of victories.

But again, I'm not one for 'should haves' or 'could haves', but it's a fact that our current results are not what we want. Yet, I see many aspects that I genuinely appreciate, and this is the direction I prefer to take. The system... I want to clarify that I don't employ a back five. Thus, discussing this is pointless.

My strategy typically involves a back-four or potentially a back-three. Like any team, when faced with numerous players in front of our backline, we need to increase our numbers. With a back-four, you can sometimes end up with a back-five or back-six. To me, debating this is futile. What matters is mastering the concept.

That's what's crucial to me. I've never claimed to be a back-five person. I utilise a back-four, a back-three, even a back-two. At present, it's still early days. I'm looking for certain elements and will analyse accordingly.

Q: Even Rod Stewart has been voicing his opinions on social media recently. Are you beginning to grasp just how intense the atmosphere here can be when someone like Rod Stewart is criticising you?

A: Yes, I've come to realise that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am who I am. I know what I want to achieve. As you know, I joined mid-season, so this is the reality. I'm delighted to be here. This is a renowned club, so everyone has a right to voice their opinion.

I have no issue with that. I can also understand the criticism due to our results. However, when we delve deeper, as I've said, I see what needs to be done. I see progress. Not everyone may notice this because the focus is heavily on results, which is completely understandable.

When we win, we're elated. When we lose, it's hard to accept. But this is the reality of the situation. I'm not saying I'm content with this. What I am saying is that we're working on it and I'm confident we'll turn things around.

Q: Have you found yourself under stress over the past month, or have you managed to stay relatively composed?

A: As a coach, I naturally put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well and make sound decisions. I'm aware of the discontent in the environment, but that was something I knew before I took on this role. It's simply part of the job.

Q: Given the significance of this game to the fans, do you see it as a golden opportunity to potentially sway some supporters' opinions with a victory tomorrow?

A: I'm not here to alter everyone's views. My goal is to do my best, help the team win, and then people's opinions may or may not change. But what's crucial is that I need to focus on my job, rather than worrying about public perception. I understand how things can unfold based on our performance, but again, those are just opinions.

My primary concern is for the club's welfare and my players' success. We're here to win games, and that's my main objective.

Q: How challenging is it to ignore the external chatter?

A: There's nothing I can do about that. It's what people are saying, the narrative they choose to spin. My focus remains on preparing my team effectively, ensuring we play our style of football, and maximising our chances of winning. I have no control over the noise. As I've mentioned, I'd prefer if the noise were positive.

When we won two matches, the noise was more favourable. Now, having lost the last game, the noise has returned to its usual tone, I suppose. But this is all part and parcel of my job. I'm not scared of that. What I want is for my team to play with personality, to do what they're capable of, and then we'll see what happens.

Q: Do you agree with the idea that if you lose this match, your position might become precarious?

A: I'm not here to... For me, I don't need to respond to this question, because it's all about perspective. This is people's perception. They could be right, they could be wrong. It doesn't bother me, but perspective is everything.

Q: Have you had discussions with the board members? Do you still feel like you have the full support of everyone at the club?

A: Yes.

Q: Have you spoken with them this week?

A: I know that the board supports me, the club backs me, and the players are behind me, and so forth.

Q: Do you believe the board will back you in bringing in the players you need to shape this team as you envision it?

A: Yes, step by step, because as you can imagine, and again, I understand that you're doing your job. I realise that your role is to challenge me or to ask me numerous questions. I have no issue with that. This is your job.

My role is to coach. Your role is to ask questions and to engage with me. But again, this is just the beginning. Typically, we have four weeks of pre-season. Four, five. I didn't have a pre-season. I understand why. I arrived, and two days later I had a match, a match we should have won, by the way, if I'm not mistaken, if you understand how it unfolded.

The reality is, I knew before I arrived that if I don't win games, I'm going to be in trouble. This is part of the job. But I'm pleased to be here. I know where we are now. That's why I said for the Motherwell game, I'm not an underdog. I want my team to compete against any team.

Any team. I repeat, any team. Given the context, I was aware that this kind of situation could occur. As you know, I need time. I understand that I don't have much time because of the nature of my job. However, with the limited time I've had, I've seen improvements from when I first took over the team four weeks into pre-season.

So, yes, I ask you to give me time and you will see my team. You're going to see what I'm capable of. Because you can already see what I've achieved in the past. I didn't start yesterday. So, if you do your research, you'll be able to see what I've accomplished in the past. The style of play I prefer. What I aim to achieve. How I want to defend. How I want to attack. It's clear.

And now, without making comparisons, because I don't like to compare due to cultural differences and so on. And when you look at the current situation, obviously, people are not happy. Your fans and people... And me too, I'm not happy. Because I only see a few glimpses of what I aim to achieve. However, I'm content with that as we've only had 12 or 13 training sessions. This is the context.

Like tomorrow, the context is a big match. But for me, my context is I've only had 13 practices with my team. Typically, we have four weeks of pre-season. So, it's completely normal that you lot, you criticise me. I'm okay with that. I'm entirely fine with that. Because I know where I want to go.

Judge me in a few weeks. A month. But if you want to judge me now, you can do it. Because it's a fact that... And it's also for me that... I didn't get the result and we didn't get the result that we wanted. It's a fact. I can't deny that. But do your job first.

And I know that you do it. I will consider the way I am as a coach, the way I am as a manager and what I want to bring to the team. And you'll see that we're not there yet. No players. A bit of time. A few players have been here for five, six, seven years. They were doing certain things in a certain way.

It's no joke that it takes time. Lads, seriously. I'd be lying if I said, yeah, everything is happy. Everything is good. No. That's not the case. But I knew that beforehand. Because this is part of my job. So that's why I'm calm regarding all the questions that you ask me. I'm not pleased to hear that people don't like me and so on.

What I'm going to say is I have the right to say it because in terms of results this is not what we want. But if you do your job, you can see what I do.

If you can exercise a bit of patience, I understand that in this job we cannot afford to be patient, but you will see what I am capable of. Not just me, but my team, my players. At the moment, it's like a whirlwind. I was prepared for this.

It's not easy to manage, but I'm ready. So, this is my message to everyone - fans, you guys, all people. This is the reality. The board and I knew this when I took on the role. It's completely normal for my players to need some time. It's entirely normal for them to feel confused at times. Because it's a process.

I don't like using the word 'process' as it can seem like I'm hiding behind it, but it's true. Feel free to judge me. No problem. But take a look. Analyse all the games we've played and decide if we should have won or lost. Do it. That's your job. However, I don't like making assumptions. I'm straightforward.

For now, I can't say much. I keep quiet because the results are good enough. I stay silent. And I accept it. But I know where we're headed. Whether it'll work out or not, I can't say. But I know we'll do everything to make it happen. I'm here for that.

After that, yes, I want to win every game. Yes, I want to bring titles to Celtic. Yes, I want to create memories. I want to leave a legacy here. Yes, I would give everything for this club, without a doubt. However, context is important, and I struggle with that. It's not about the criticism because that comes with my job.

I'm frustrated because I know that if he gets into this position, we'll be able to outmanoeuvre the opposition. But at the moment, he's not ready to do it. For now, we're only playing with a back three offensively. But if you observe closely, you'll see that I'm not a back three kind of manager.

I have different attacking strategies. But my players need time to understand what I want to do. That's my message. After that, we'll see. But my job is... This isn't normal, but expect the unexpected. If you don't win, you get criticised heavily. If you win, it's okay.

We're saying this because of our experience in Glasgow, in Scotland, and the reaction when Celtic doesn't win. Yes, understand me correctly. I comprehend that perfectly. And people have the right to be unhappy. So, I understand that. In all the clubs I've been to, my connection with the fans has been excellent. Now, I arrived in the middle of the season.

They were winning, we lose. So, I need time. I understand the context. I understand that Celtic is Celtic. I understand that the culture here could be different and so on. I understand everything. But I don't like to make promises. I could have been the guy saying that I promise we're going to get results.

Come on. What I can promise you is that I'm going to do everything to get us back on track and to maintain consistency. We've not strayed from our path, despite what some may think. I'm well aware of where we stand - if I'm not mistaken, we're currently second.

We have control over many aspects because the season is long. However, a few losses seem to give the impression that we're at the bottom of the table. I understand the context. My aim is to satisfy my players, the club, and the fans - that's why I do this job. For now, yes, I understand the narrative, but that doesn't mean I accept it.

Q: Do you believe some of the criticism is unjust?

A: I'm not here to discuss whether the criticism is fair or unfair. People can say, you are different from the person next to you. You are different from the person next to you. Perhaps your perspective will be different. You may not see things the same way.

I don't know. I'm not here to pass judgement or make any comments about that. It's simply a fact.

Q: How long should fans expect to wait then? Is second place not good enough for this club?

A: I didn't claim that being second was satisfactory. I never said that. Please understand me correctly. I'm aware that I'm French, but I never made such a statement. I merely provided the context of our current situation.

You asked about time. I'm not attempting to buy time. Time isn't something I can purchase in my profession. The only opportunity to buy time is when we win matches. I'm fully aware of that. I need to secure victories. We must win games to buy time. That's the nature of the job.

So, I don't have an answer for you. What I can tell you is that we train every day. We strive to improve and better ourselves daily. These are things I can measure. However, time is subjective and it's about winning games. That's why I can't answer your question.