Celtic 1-2 Hearts
©IMAGO
Wilfried Nancy’s first game in charge of Celtic ended on a disappointing note as the reigning champions suffered a damaging defeat against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday. Nancy, who took over from interim boss Martin O’Neill after completing his move from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew on December 3, was thrown straight into the deep end in a top-of-the-table clash, knowing that a victory would put his side top of the SPL. But as the rain fell heavily in Glasgow, it proved to be something of a baptism of fire for the 48-year-old just four days after his arrival in Scotland.
Club Comparison
€132.65m
Market Value
€18.72m
First Tier
League Level
First Tier
€15.13m
Expenditures 25/26
€2.97m
Wilfried Nancy
Managers
Derek McInnes
Full Club Comparison
The Frenchman attempted to mark his stamp on the team by switching to a back three, and Celtic started brightly, attacking in numbers and carving out some decent chances in the first half. But against the run of play, in-form striker Cláudio Braga put the visitors ahead to stun Parkhead into silence on 42 minutes. Nancy wouldn’t have been too pleased with the defending on show as Celtic struggled to clear the ball on three occasions, and Braga showed his intelligence to shift the ball onto his left foot before prodding it past Kasper Schmeichel.
Celtic provided the reaction their new boss would’ve been demanding from his half-time team talk, while the fans got behind the Hoops. Calum McGregor had a 20-yard daisy cutter saved and his side had Hearts camped in their half for the first 15 minutes. But one set piece was all it took for Hearts to get their second, with Oisin McEntee rising highest to nod home past Schmeichel and send the away fans into pandemonium.
Alexandros Kyziridis, one of the stars of the season for Hearts, almost made it 3-0 but his effort skidded off the surface and flew inches past the far post. Nancy sent on Luke McCowan and Jonny Kenny to inject some energy, but the frustration only grew from his players and the fans in the rain-soaked stands as Hearts held firm at the back, before Kieran Tierney drilled home in stoppage time to ensure a grandstand finish. But their efforts were in vain as Nancy’s first game in charge ended in defeat.
It would be harsh to place too much blame on Nancy given he has only officially been in charge for less than a week. But starting his Celtic tenure with a defeat against their main title rivals is hardly the most ideal start, with Derek McInnes’ men moving three points clear at the top.
