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

Casemiro: Man Utd midfielder a 'completely different player' as Jamie Carragher hails improved displays

Casemiro: Man Utd midfielder a 'completely different player' as Jamie Carragher hails improved displays

Jamie Carragher says Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is now a "completely different player" as he approaches his Old Trafford farewell at the en...

Sky Sports' big quiz of the year: Test your 2025 knowledge and see how much you can remember!

Sky Sports' big quiz of the year: Test your 2025 knowledge and see how much you can remember!

The sporting calendar is nearly done for another year, so it's time to see how much you can remember from 2025 in Your Site’ big quiz of the year! Liv...

Man City thrash Chelsea to prove they are the Women's Super League's new dominant force

Man City thrash Chelsea to prove they are the Women's Super League's new dominant force

This season has witnessed a changing of the guard in the Women's Super League. A symbolic baton pass happened on Sunday. Chelsea, the six-time defendi...

Women's sports biggest moments in 2025: From Lionesses and Red Roses glory to India success and emergence of new stars!

Women's sports biggest moments in 2025: From Lionesses and Red Roses glory to India success and emergence of new stars!

This year was set to be a big year for women's sports and it certainly lived up to those expectations with endless success from female athletes.From t...

Tammy Abraham's disallowed equaliser: New Brentford footage shows ball did go out of play against Aston Villa

Tammy Abraham's disallowed equaliser: New Brentford footage shows ball did go out of play against Aston Villa

Brentford have released footage that appears to show the ball did go out of play in the build-up to Tammy Abraham's equaliser for Aston Villa, before...

Casemiro: Why Manchester United are not prepared to U-turn on Brazilian midfielder despite excellent Premier League form

Casemiro: Why Manchester United are not prepared to U-turn on Brazilian midfielder despite excellent Premier League form

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is in his richest vein of form since arriving at Old Trafford in a deal worth £70m in 2022. So why would the clu...