Two matches is not an adequate window in which to judge a manager. Nonetheless, these are worrying times for Wilfried Nancy and Celtic. Seriously worrying, in truth.
Back-to-back losses since the Frenchman’s arrival would be bad enough without the rampant manner in which Roma ensured six points from six in visits to Glasgow during this season’s Europa League. What a canter this proved from minute one.
Celtic are a club with aspirations of being a serious force in Europe and so recently were. Roma, inspired by Evan Ferguson’s first half double, faced disjointed and dysfunctional opposition. Sunday’s League Cup final against St Mirren carries huge meaning for Nancy. He has to prove, primarily, that he can field a team that will play to strengths. Nancy is operating in the most unforgiving of environments, where patience was thin long before his arrival.
Roma’s first visit to Celtic Park came a matter of weeks after they toyed with Rangers at Ibrox. Celtic knew they would face high level opposition. Indeed, a key challenge in this Roma season may soon be whether to prioritise a tilt at the Serie A title or try to combine the same with a proper attempt at claiming silverware in Europe. Gian Piero Gasperini has unsurprisingly fuelled hopes of glory.
