James Forrest offered a clear picture of what life has been like behind the scenes under Wilfried Nancy, speaking after a week that felt important for Celtic’s mood if not yet decisive for their season.
The early weeks under Nancy have brought change. New ideas, different demands, and a run of results that tested confidence arrived quickly.
For a squad used to stability, that shift has been sharp. Forrest did not pretend otherwise, but he also stressed that change has not led to division.
What Forrest described was a group adapting together rather than splintering under pressure.
He pointed to training, the changing room, and the response during games as signs that the players have stayed aligned even when results have been tight.
The recent win acted as a reference point, not a release. Forrest framed it as a starting moment rather than proof that everything is fixed.
His focus stayed on process, effort, and the relationship with supporters.
He said: (RecordSport), “It’s not happened to a lot of us before so it’s a new experience. I can only talk about the changing room and what we’re like at Lennoxtown, the players, everyone’s together and I think you’ve seen that there.
“We could have easily drawn that game on Sunday but I think we showed that we’re all together and that’s the main thing.
“This is a start to hopefully we can push on and keep picking up more victories. You could have maybe won the game 1-0 there and it would have been good. But I think just for everyone, even the fans in the last ten minutes, they did get behind us.
“They knew that we were creating loads of chances and I think that’s what we need to do.
“We need to give the fans something to cheer about and get behind us. I think with the performance, I think we can all come together, just keep picking up more games and more performances like Sunday.
“We won’t get carried away but there’s loads of positives to take. I think the manager will sit down this week with the players and obviously show us all the positives and what we’ve been working on.
“So that’s good and the next three or four games come thick and fast so we need to make sure the squad’s ready and if the manager wants to change players on that then everyone’s ready to come in and do their bit.”
Forrest’s comments painted a picture of a squad that has not turned inward during a difficult spell.
He spoke about togetherness as something lived daily rather than something claimed in public. That distinction matters when pressure rises.
His reference to Lennoxtown was telling. Training ground habits often shape match-day reactions.
Forrest suggested that work during the week has remained focused, even when confidence was tested by results.
The idea that the team could have settled for a draw but pushed on instead reflected a shift in mindset. Forrest highlighted response rather than outcome.
That is often where belief begins to rebuild.
Supporter reaction also featured in his view of Sunday’s game. Forrest noted the crowd backing the team late on, which he linked directly to effort and chance creation.
For him, that exchange between pitch and stands remains important.
His comments about not getting carried away kept expectations grounded. There was no suggestion that one win changes everything.
Instead, Forrest framed it as a base to build from during a busy run of fixtures.
Nancy’s role came through clearly in the background. Forrest described a manager focused on showing players what is working, not just what is missing.
That approach can steady a group when confidence is fragile.
The mention of rotation and readiness hinted at competition within the squad.
Forrest stressed that players must stay prepared, which reflects a dressing room aware that demands will increase rather than ease.
What emerged most strongly was a sense of shared responsibility.
Forrest did not place emphasis on individuals or moments. He spoke about group reaction and collective effort.
For Celtic, that message matters as much as any tactical shift. Unity does not guarantee wins, but without it, improvement rarely lasts.
Forrest has seen seasons turn in many ways. His assessment suggested that this one remains open.
The mood inside the camp, as he described it, is not one of panic. It is one of adjustment.
As fixtures come quickly, the balance between patience and progress will be tested again.
Forrest’s insight suggested that, under Nancy, the players are facing that challenge together.
