Jackie McNamara hails one ‘outstanding’ Celtic player despite loss vs Hearts after what he saw on Sportscene
Wilfried Nancy had little to be happy about after Celtic were beaten by Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday, in his first game in charge.
Celtic were beaten 2-1 by Hearts at Celtic Park, with Claudio Braga and Oisin McEntee’s goals ultimately proving Kieran Tierney‘s stoppage-time goal a mere consolation.
Derek McInnes‘ side now sit three points clear at the top of the table, although the Bhoys do have a game in hand.
Nancy arrived at Celtic on Thursday, with the Frenchman having just a few days to prepare his new players.
Martin O’Neill said goodbye to Celtic last week, with the interim manager having won his final five consecutive games in charge.
Jackie McNamara keen to praise Kieran Tierney impact despite result
Looking at the stats, Nancy‘s side can count themselves fairly unlucky to have come out on the losing side of Sunday’s clash.
Celtic produced over three times the amount of expected goals of their opponents, and took 15 shots compared to Hearts‘ eight.
But when it came down to it, the visitors were simply much more clinical. Daizen Maeda missed a superb chance within the opening 10 minutes, before Braga capitalised on some extremely sloppy defending to hand Hearts the lead.
| Celtic | Match stats | Hearts |
| 72% | Possession | 28% |
| 15 | Shots | 8 |
| 5 | Shots on target | 3 |
| 1.88 | Expected goals (xG) | 0.52 |
| 3 | Big chances missed | 1 |
McInnes’ side would double the advantage in the second half from a corner, which was headed in well by McEntee.
Tierney was the standout for Celtic and should have had an assist when he set up Arne Engels for an open header in the final minutes, before eventually finding the net himself with a powerful drive.
Speaking to BBC Sportscene on Sunday, Jackie McNamara commended the former Arsenal defender’s efforts.
“I think Tierney was outstanding today,” the former Celtic defender said. “He’s starting in the left centre-back in a three, getting forward, he actually put a lot of balls in and looked forward.
“The fact he lasted 90 minutes as well, which is a fantastic thing for him. He does well, keeps it down and he deserved a goal today, Tierney. He actually put a fantastic cross in just before that, Celtic eventually hit the bar.
“Pleased for Kieran, getting his goal, I know it’s a consolation but I thought he deserved that today.”
Wilfried Nancy positive despite first defeat
It will not get immediately easier for Nancy, with Celtic set to take on Roma in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Italian side sit fourth in Serie A, but have lost their last two consecutive matches. Celtic will then take on St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final on Sunday.
Speaking after his first game in charge, Nancy told CelticTV: “We had a good first half. We could have been cleaner in the final third because we had opportunities, but we missed a bit of the final pass and execution.
“I saw some really good things in terms of the mentality and intensity, but now we need to be cleaner when the moment comes. This isn’t the result that we wanted, but I saw good things and also some things that we need to improve.”
And improve quickly, Nancy will hope his side does, with difficult games approaching.