Celtic Football Club is in a state of crisis after a demoralising 3-1 home defeat to arch-rivals Rangers on Saturday, 3 January 2026. The result has piled immense pressure on manager Wilfried Nancy and triggered angry protests from supporters outside Celtic Park.
A Dramatic Derby Collapse
The match began promisingly for the home side, who dominated the first half. South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun gave Celtic the lead with a superb solo effort, finishing powerfully to send the home crowd into raptures. However, the game transformed completely after the interval.
Rangers staged a stunning comeback, spearheaded by Portuguese striker Youssef Chermiti. The £8 million signing from Everton, who had struggled initially, scored twice within nine minutes to turn the tide. He first tapped in a low cross from Nico Raskin before exploiting a static Celtic defence to slot past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Mikey Moore then sealed the victory with a precise strike into the far corner, completing a disastrous second half for Celtic.
Mounting Pressure on Nancy and the Board
The defeat marks a low point in the brief tenure of French manager Wilfried Nancy, who was appointed on 3 December. Under his leadership, Celtic have now lost six of their eight matches across all competitions. The significance of this loss is magnified in the title race, as Rangers overturned a nine-point deficit to draw level on points with Celtic and move within six points of league leaders Hearts.
Following the final whistle, thousands of Celtic supporters gathered outside Parkhead to voice their frustration, directing protests at the club's hierarchy. Fans have been critical of perceived underinvestment in the squad, and the decision to appoint Nancy mid-way through a congested festive schedule has also been questioned.
When asked about his future post-match, Nancy told Sky Sports: "Nothing changes. My focus is to help my players to be better to turn things around. We are really close to doing good things but the way we concede goals sometimes it is difficult." This came after an emotional pre-match appeal for patience from the former Columbus Crew coach.
League Implications and Managerial Decisions
Rangers manager Danny Rohl, who has now won nine of his twelve league games since taking charge in October, hailed the victory as a major statement. "It is a statement. It's a massive three points, but now it's about continuing our way," he said.
Meanwhile, at the top of the table, Hearts extended their lead to six points with a hard-fought 1-0 win over bottom club Livingston, thanks to a Craig Halkett goal and crucial saves from goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow.
With 18 league games remaining, Celtic's board faces a pivotal decision. The club, which has won 14 of the last 15 Scottish Premiership titles—including the previous four—now sees its dominance under serious threat. The choice is whether to persist with Nancy or initiate another managerial change in a desperate bid to salvage their season.
