Evan Ferguson’s first-half double gave Roma a 3-0 victory over Celtic in the Europa League, making Hoops manager Wilfried Nancy the first manager to lose his first two games.
The Scottish Premiership champions were booed at half-time after trailing 3-0, while Celtic Park was virtually empty by the time the final whistle blew as a demoralizing defeat ended any hopes of remaining in the competition.
Celtic’s new manager opted to stick with the same starting line-up from Sunday’s defeat to league leaders Hearts at Parkhead, but Liam Scales inadvertently deflected a corner past Kasper Schmeichel, leaving his side behind after just six minutes.
The situation then worsened as Ferguson, who was told by Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini before the match that he had to “work harder”, scored twice before half-time to almost seal the visitors’ second win of the season in Glasgow after displacing Rangers.
The home team missed a chance to counterattack when Arne Engels’ penalty hit the inside of the post in first-half stoppage time, but Nancy made three substitutions at the interval.
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy looks on at Celtic Park
One of the featured players, Kelechi Iheanacho, was unlucky to have his shot ruled out for offside, as did Roma’s Leon Bailey after the second period ended, leaving them languishing in 24th place in the table and clinging to the play-off spots on goal difference with two games remaining against Bologna and Utrecht.
All of this makes Sunday’s League Cup final against St Mirren a must-win for Nancy.
“Celtic lost completely”
Analysis from Celtic Park by Sky Sports News’ Adam Binney:
“Wilfried Nancy’s difficult start to his time as Celtic manager continues with two defeats in four days.
“His team were completely outclassed tonight. It was far from ideal preparation for Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final against St Mirren.”
Hart: Can’t rest on previous success – football keeps moving
Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart told TNT Sports:
“This is an intelligent club. We don’t just play good football here.
“The club has to deal with this issue. The support, the players and the management have to come together.
“I feel like a soap opera. Financially, I’m very stable and I’ve had a lot of success.
“Last season was a great season, but they didn’t address the issues and the gap widened.
“Football clubs that are united are very special. At the moment they are getting further and further apart.
“We need to understand more about what everyone’s end goal is. Everyone in the stadium wants Celtic to succeed and that can only happen if they come together.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way. It comes straight from the top. You can’t rest on your laurels. Football keeps moving.
“I’m really lucky to have been able to spend three years here. I don’t think Wilfried Nancy will know what that is at the moment.”
What the manager said…
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy speaks on TNT Sports:
“The reality is we can’t handle the intensity. And they tried to do well, but it was difficult in the first half. We couldn’t get out of the pressure.
“We had some moments where we threw the opponent off balance, but we couldn’t maintain the advantage we had. That’s why it was difficult. And we didn’t make good decisions because we had some playing time a little earlier, but it wasn’t easy for the players.
“We were really good in the second half, we reacted well. We played a little closer between the players to take the pressure off. And then we started a little bit more.”
“I don’t like to talk about luck, but conceding the first goal didn’t help. It wasn’t easy to come back. So, listen, the attitude was good.
“We were better in the second half, but it wasn’t good enough. I can’t say they didn’t try. They tried. They could have connected a little more, but they didn’t. So, it’s this situation again. I really like the reaction, so I’m not worried.”
“And for me, this is the most important thing. They deserve at least one goal to see if the dynamics change after that.”
“I have already seen good things. The result after that is certainly not what we want. But I have already seen good things. I saw good things today.”
“I’d like for the result to be different today. But again, we’re playing to win the game and that’s not the situation. And in the last game we hit the post.”
What will happen to Celtic?
Celtic travel to Bologna on January 22nd (kick-off 5.45pm) before playing their final two Europa League games at home to Utrecht on January 29th (kick-off 8pm).
