On the winter solstice, some light finally illuminated the darkness of Wilfrid Nancy’s first 17 days as Celtics head coach.
At his fifth try, the Frenchman registered his first victory after four disastrous defeats in the Scottish Premiership, League Cup and Europa League.
advertise
That leaves them just six points behind leaders Hearts, who have played a game less, and given his side’s dominance against Aberdeen at Celtic Park, they could well have secured a deserved win.
The Celtics performed well in the second half for 20 minutes. It’s like going back to the good old days under Brendan Rodgers, Angie Postecoglou and even Martin O’Neill.
Celtic had 31 shots on target, 10 of which had an xG (expected goals) of 4.5, and should have stayed out of sight. The only thing supporters should worry about is last-minute Christmas shopping.
But when Kenan Bilalovic’s shot through Kasper Schmeichel inexplicably pulled ten-man Aberdeen level with 16 minutes remaining, concerns were once again centered on Nancy.
advertise
Since embracing O’Neal’s changes less than three weeks ago, many fans will have wondered if he realized he was getting into trouble.
While Nancy could be forgiven for failing to understand the absurdity of Sunday’s game, he wouldn’t have been given so much leeway if the light against Aberdeen hadn’t turned into a brand new dawn.
“Probably double digits”
marvelous. Sensational. Unstoppable. Those are just some of the superlatives that reliably conservative SportsVoice pundit Willie Miller uses to describe the Celtics.
The Aberdeen legend barely had time to speak at the start of the second half as he took note of every chance Celtic created in a first-class performance.
advertise
Auston Tusti was denied by a fine save from Dimitar Mitov, before Callum McGregor saw his shot saved brilliantly by the keeper.
Goal scorer Benjamin Nygren hit the back post, Arne Engels almost copied the shot and Anthony Ralston’s volley was blocked.
Miller had a moment just 10 minutes into the second half to express his disbelief that after “incredible pressure” from Celtic the team was only 1-0.
But things didn’t stop there.
Mitov latched on to Johnny Kenny’s cross before donning a Celtic shirt and Luke McCowan twice tried his luck from distance only to be – yes, you guessed it – blocked by the Bulgarian.
advertise
Engels smashed another post a few yards out before substitute James Forrest once again worked Mitov’s magic.
Youngster Dylan Loban was sent off in the first half after a slow pass from one player and his recovery was remarkable.
[BBC]
“There are great escapes and there are great escapes,” Miller told BBC Scotland. “If Aberdeen can take something from this game, it will be the greatest.”
Then Bilarovic’s goal silenced the home stands, and the atmosphere in the stadium suddenly changed.
Celtic’s fluidity was gone. The tension from the previous games was back.
advertise
In the end, their numerical superiority prevailed, with late goals from Kieran Tierney and Forrest ensuring their side avoided the embarrassment that would come with their dominance.
“I noticed eight huge opportunities,” Miller added in disbelief. “Plus the two goals Celtic scored [in the second half] It’s unbelievable.
“It was just wave after wave, chance after chance, but Aberdeen still had a slim chance of getting something out of the game.
“If it’s closer to double figures I don’t think Aberdeen will complain because Celtic are absolutely fabulous.
advertise
“You have to give Wilfried Nancy a lot of credit for sticking to his system. They were brilliant and absolutely unstoppable, the only thing missing was the finish.”
Nancy was under ‘incredible pressure’
While the final touch remains elusive, the final straw is getting closer.
There were no festive cheers at Celtic Park – certainly not pre-match cheers – and there were boos ringing around the amphitheater, which for most people would be more toxic than tonic.
Before the game, a massive fan protest engulfed much of Celtic Way outside the stadium. The irony is that these supporters do not feel that their club and its hierarchy are not run the way Celtic should be run.
advertise
While the anger isn’t just directed at Nancy, his horrific start doesn’t help matters. Turning a team that had won seven of eight games under an interim manager who was a club legend would do just that.
Thursday’s hard-fought victory against a 10-man squad in Prague – while deserved – does little to allay concerns some have about his qualifications. Nor does it overshadow the start of his tenure.
Despite this, the manager stuck to his favored 3-4-3 formation, with just one out-and-out centre-back – Trasti – starting between the two full-backs.
If things don’t go well, the calls to stop the practice can be deafening.
advertise
“He’s under incredible pressure,” former Parkhead goalkeeper Pat Bonner told Sporting Voices. “He did give himself some time [with the result].
“The players he’s brought in in January this year are really interesting. He just needs to strengthen his defense and he might bring in a player to solidify that.
“I’m sure they have to do their homework and bring in some players that can really enhance this style of play and this team.
“If they don’t, more questions will be asked.”
