Football Dec 07, 2025

Wilfried Nancy: New Celtic boss tells players to 'believe in themselves' as he prepares for first game and transfer window

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Wilfried Nancy: New Celtic boss tells players to 'believe in themselves' as he prepares for first game and transfer window

New Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy believes he has inherited a "quality team" that should "believe a little bit more in themselves".

The Frenchman takes charge for the first time on Sunday against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, live on SportNews.

He has the chance to take the Hoops top of the table after replacing interim manager Martin O'Neill, who led them to four straight league wins.

Victory would take Celtic three points clear with a game in hand before their attention turns to a Europa League home game against Roma on Thursday.

"Quality team, quality players, but they have to believe a little bit more in themselves," the 48-year-old said.

"After that, tactical flexibility. We have players who can play in different positions and for me this is important to have players who are able to play in two positions minimum.

"I want my players to be confident but I want them also to be humble.

"My job also is to challenge them for the best of the team.

"We play against a style of play, we don't play against the name of the team. Roma, the way they play is not the same as Hearts. We know what we have in front of us. We know what we want to do."

The 48-year-old does not have to wait long for his first chance to win silverware, with the League Cup final against St Mirren at Hampden Park on December 14.

He was also quizzed on what he expects from the January transfer window and he suggested there was a "profile that we need".

"Each organisation, the idea is to improve," he added.

"I'm going to have to assess the team. I know them as a team because I've watched many games. Now it's about knowing them as a person. After that we'll see what is the best for the team.

"I like to take my time. I know that I don't have a lot of time.

"It's not a secret I want to play in a certain way. Proactivity, try to put [pressure] on the opposition, try to attack the ball as soon as possible and after that also be disgusting to play against when we defend - because we're going to have moments when we've got to suffer."

Tags:

football news id:13479700

Share this article

Related Posts

Scottish Premiership title race: Are Hearts under pressure as Celtic, Rangers close in on leaders? | Vote for your winner!

Scottish Premiership title race: Are Hearts under pressure as Celtic, Rangers close in on leaders? | Vote for your winner!

Three teams. Three points between them. Eight games to go. One unmissable title race.The battle for Scottish Premiership glory served up another twist...

Thierry Henry defends Arsenal style and 'respects' Mikel Arteta's ability to find a winning formula to end 22-year wait for title

Thierry Henry defends Arsenal style and 'respects' Mikel Arteta's ability to find a winning formula to end 22-year wait for title

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry stepped in to defend the Gunners' style under Mikel Arteta on Monday Night Football, saying that nothing is more importan...

Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk could restart career with loan move if he avoids ban - Paper talk and football transfer gossip

Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk could restart career with loan move if he avoids ban - Paper talk and football transfer gossip

The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday's newspapers...PREMIER LEAGUEChelsea outcast Mykhailo Mudryk could yet restart his career on loan aw...

Max Dowman: Behind the scenes of Arsenal's teenage sensation and the key figures behind his rise

Max Dowman: Behind the scenes of Arsenal's teenage sensation and the key figures behind his rise

It is a moment that will go down in Arsenal folklore. As Mikel Arteta said: "For many years, we will remember that we were at the Emirates that night...

Luke Littler, Lando Norris, Rory McIlroy and England Lionesses among nominees for Laureus World Sports Awards

Luke Littler, Lando Norris, Rory McIlroy and England Lionesses among nominees for Laureus World Sports Awards

Luke Littler, Lando Norris, Rory McIlroy and the England Women's Football Team are among the nominees for the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards. Norris...

Chelsea fined £10.75m and handed suspended transfer ban over secret payments breaching Premier League rules

Chelsea fined £10.75m and handed suspended transfer ban over secret payments breaching Premier League rules

Chelsea have been handed the Premier League's biggest fine along with a one-year transfer ban suspended for two years.The total fine of £10.75m relate...