Wilfried Nancy believes winning Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup Final could help “validate” his work so far at Celtic, both in the eyes of the supporters and the players, but says he remains calm about the bigger picture.
The Frenchman is still looking for his first win in charge after defeats to Hearts and Roma, with Sunday’s 3.30 pm showdown at Hampden seen as a crucial moment in the early stages of his reign.
A tough St Mirren side, who had no game midweek, lie in wait at Hampden Park, as they look to win their first League Cup since 2013.
But while Nancy knows what’s at stake, he insists he’s not treating the final as make-or-break for his future.
“Because this, like I said, you start to know me now. Yes, I would like to win the trophy. I’m pretty sure that if we don’t win it, for sure it’s going to be difficult,” he said to Clyde 1 SSB.
“You know, because when we lose, this is painful. But again, I am optimistic as a person, so hopefully we’re going to do it. And also, it is going to validate, you know, what we are doing.
“But if not, I don’t want to think about this. Because for the moment, I want to stay positive. And this is the way I think.
“Again, I’m going to have many, many other times to show, to do my stuff and to convince the fans that I am the right guy.”
Nancy has been clear all week about his desire to see progression over perfection, but he also understands that lifting a trophy just seven days into the job would offer immediate credibility and buy-in.
It would also give the players a great boost heading into a big match on Wednesday, when Celtic have the chance to pull back level on Hearts.
With pressure building and the spotlight firmly on him, Sunday offers the chance to turn a turbulent start into a winning one, and begin laying proper foundations for the season ahead.
