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The under-pressure manager declared he did not fear the sack, maintaining, “The team is very near to things turning around,” even after sliding worryingly close to being fired with a heavy setback against their arch-rivals.

A Second-Half Collapse Sees Old Firm Loss

The Hoops were ahead the visitors at the interval but a disastrous second period enabled Rangers to move level on points with the defending league title holders. Nancy, who was hired in December, has now been in charge for six defeats in eight games.

“There is unity at the club,” stated Nancy.

Questioned about his own future, Nancy said: “That’s not my focus. I concentrate on working out methods to get the team to excel on the fine details.

Protest On Display

Hundreds of supporters voiced their fury – aimed at the board and manager – in their hundreds at full time. The board would be most likely to return to the interim manager, who had a fruitful temporary stint before Nancy was hired, if the Frenchman were sacked.

“It’s the results [that leads to pressure]. That is the reality for the moment. Yet in stating that’s how it is, that is not a sign that I am a defeatist guy. No. The message is we are really close, imminently close to turn things around.”

“Really, Really Close”

Nancy continues to cling to the fact Celtic show good levels for one half at a time. Indeed, were it not for wastefulness in front of goal they might have been more than 1-0 up. “The performance had merit aside from the fact that we haven’t scored more goals,” he said. “I accept that we lost, but I must remain balanced.

“The standard we had at certain moments was really, really, really high. This is the reality. And I would not talk like that if it was not the case. But that’s why, regarding outcomes, I mentioned this is the same story. For that reason I believe we are nearly there to a shift in fortunes. Currently: the fine margins.”

“We produced many, many good things that we did, like today again. The issue now is sustaining it. My narrative would be different if I didn't believe it. That’s why I am convinced we will manage to get back on track.”

The Rangers Boss Response

Rangers manager was cautious about a championship push despite what appeared to be a huge result. “One match at a time, and we can develop something here,” he said. “The belief in the group is outstanding.”