Wilfried Nancy finally secured his first win as Celtic manager after a tense 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Parkhead. The result came at a crucial moment for the French coach, who had been under heavy pressure following four consecutive defeats at the start of his tenure. Celtic dominated large portions of the match, but the scoreline only reflected their control late on.
The home side started assertively despite a subdued atmosphere inside the stadium. Thousands of supporters had staged protests against the board before kickoff, adding extra tension to the occasion. Still, Nancy’s players showed intent from the opening minutes, creating chances and pinning Aberdeen deep in their own half.
The breakthrough arrived in the 39th minute when Benjamin Nygren converted from close range after sustained pressure. It was a deserved lead, although Celtic could easily have been further ahead given the number of opportunities they created.
Red Card Shifts the Balance of the Match
Aberdeen’s task became significantly harder just before halftime when 20-year-old defender Dylan Lobban was shown a straight red card. After a poor pass from goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, Daizen Maeda raced clear and was hauled down, leaving the referee with little choice but to dismiss Lobban.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Aberdeen remained resilient. Mitov, in particular, delivered an outstanding performance, producing a string of impressive saves to keep his side in contention. His efforts prevented the game from turning into a rout, even as Celtic piled on the pressure.
Celtic continued to dominate after the break, striking the woodwork multiple times and forcing Mitov into further heroics. Yet their inability to kill the game left the door open for an unexpected twist.
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Late Drama Tests Celtic’s Nerves
Against the run of play, Aberdeen stunned the home crowd in the 74th minute. Substitute Kenan Bilalovic broke through the middle and calmly beat Kasper Schmeichel to make it 1-1. The equalizer sent a wave of anxiety through Parkhead, with memories of recent disappointments fresh in supporters’ minds.
To their credit, Celtic responded positively. Nancy urged his side forward, making attacking substitutions to regain momentum. The pressure eventually paid off in the 87th minute when Kieran Tierney restored the lead from close range at the back post.
Deep into stoppage time, James Forrest sealed the victory by tapping in a third goal. The strike marked another personal milestone for Forrest, who has now scored in 17 consecutive seasons for the club.
Relief for Nancy and a Step Forward
The final whistle brought visible relief for Wilfried Nancy, whose decision-making and persistence were rewarded at last. The win lifted Celtic to within six points of league leaders Hearts, with a game still in hand, keeping their title hopes alive.
Beyond the points, the performance offered signs of progress. Celtic played with intensity, created chances, and showed resilience after conceding an equalizer. These are qualities Nancy will hope to build on moving forward.
In a week overshadowed by boardroom controversy and fan unrest, the victory provided a much-needed positive note. For Nancy, it could represent the turning point his Celtic reign desperately needed. Stay tuned for the latest football news only at footballcoasters.co.uk.