Wilfried Nancy claimed his players were “too soft” in their disastrous first half against Roma but expressed confidence they will quickly understand his tactical demands.
Nancy became the first Celtic manager to lose his first two games when the Italians won 3-0 at Parkhead in the Europa League.
The Hoops trailed by three goals with a Liam Scales own goal and a brace from Evan Ferguson before Arne Engels missed a penalty in added time.
Although they showed more life and attacking intent in a second half in which there were goals disallowed due to tight offsides on both sides, Roma had the game won at half-time and seemed to relax.
Nancy appeared to suggest that Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney had left him with some tired players after being fielded in consecutive games, but the Frenchman chose the same starting line-up that lost to Hearts in his first game in charge.
Showing signs of frustration when asked if he expected such a difficult start, the former Columbus Crew coach said: “I expected it. Come on guys, I just arrived a week ago.
Some players played six games in a row, we have injured players and important games are coming up. So I expected it.
“I want to be positive, we have situations that I can be positive about, but tonight was difficult.
In the first half, we were too weak at certain times. We have to be stronger. We have to use the body. We could be better individually to withstand pressure and keep the ball.
We didn’t know how to control the intensity in the first half. The second half was better. When we increase the pressure, we connect better. We need to be closer to connect and move faster.
Despite such a difficult start, which continues with Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren, Nancy has revised Celtic’s formation, moving to a back three, asking her wide players to play as full-backs, changing from three in midfield to a square.
He hinted that changes to his Hampden lineup would be limited to personnel.
Asked about the tactical problems, he said: “I think they did well. “We had some difficulties with the intensity, but in the second half I saw good plays.”
I think they agree. The connection I have with them is evident. I trust my players. It has been four days (of training). It’s not an excuse, it’s a fact.
I accept the challenge. I knew it beforehand. I could have said it would come later. I knew we had important games ahead of us, I knew it would be difficult.
But I trust my players. I have a lot of confidence because they are committed, I feel and see good things.
But it is a big challenge because we don’t have training, only rest. Many players played many games in a row. That’s the situation. I don’t like to hide, but these are the facts.
“We have many injured players, that is the reality.”
