CELTIC BOSS WILFRIED NANCY HITS BACK AT ST. MIRREN STAR’S POST-MATCH COMMENTS AS ONLINE REACTION ERUPTS AFTER LOSING THE CUP LEAGUE

Celtic head coach Wilfried Nancy has moved to defend his players and his wider vision after the Scottish champions were stunned by St Mirren in the League Cup, a result that has sparked intense debate among supporters and pundits alike.

The shock defeat, which ended Celtic’s hopes of lifting the first domestic trophy of the season, was sealed by an inspired St Mirren performance led by forward Jonah Ayunga. The striker’s post-match comments, delivered amid jubilant scenes following the final whistle, quickly became a major talking point online, prompting a measured but firm response from the Celtic manager.

Shock at Hampden

Celtic arrived at the national stadium as favourites, carrying expectations shaped by recent domestic dominance and the appointment of Nancy, whose progressive football philosophy had generated cautious optimism among sections of the fanbase.

However, St Mirren had other ideas.

Ayunga proved central to the Buddies’ success, using his physical presence and sharp finishing to unsettle a Celtic defence that struggled to find rhythm. As the underdogs celebrated a famous cup victory, attention soon turned from the pitch to the post-match interviews.

Ayunga, speaking moments after the final whistle, reflected on St Mirren’s belief and resilience. His words, delivered with raw emotion, were widely shared across social media platforms, with some Celtic supporters interpreting them as dismissive of their club’s stature and performance on the day.

Nancy responds

Nancy was asked about the comments in his post-match media duties and made it clear that, while he respected St Mirren’s achievement, he would not allow his side to be undermined.

“I understand the emotion after a result like that,” Nancy said. “They deserved to celebrate. But we also need to be clear about who we are and what we are building.”

The Celtic boss stressed that isolated comments should not be used to define his team or its direction, pointing instead to the broader context of his early tenure.

“We lost a cup match and that hurts especially at a club like Celtic where winning trophies is the expectation,” he added. “But I will always protect my players. One game does not define us.”

Nancy’s response was calm but resolute, pushing back against the growing narrative online that the defeat symbolised a deeper crisis at Parkhead.

A project under scrutiny

The League Cup exit has intensified scrutiny on Nancy, who is still in the early stages of implementing his ideas. Known for his emphasis on positional play, fluid movement and bravery in possession, the coach acknowledged that change takes time.

“We are not hiding from responsibility,” he said. “We must improve in key moments, especially defensively, and we know that. But I see progress every day on the training ground.”

That message, however, has divided the Celtic support.

While some fans have urged patience, arguing that structural issues pre-date Nancy’s arrival, others have been far more critical, questioning tactical decisions and the team’s lack of cutting edge in decisive matches.

Online reaction erupts

Within minutes of the final whistle, social media platforms were awash with reaction. Hashtags related to Celtic, St Mirren and Ayunga trended as supporters dissected every moment of the match and its aftermath.

Some Celtic fans expressed frustration at what they perceived as complacency, while others directed criticism towards the club’s hierarchy rather than the head coach.

“This result didn’t happen in isolation,” wrote one supporter. “There are problems that go back longer than one manager.”

St Mirren fans, meanwhile, revelled in the moment, praising Ayunga’s performance and embracing his outspoken post-match interview as a reflection of the club’s belief and hunger.

Respect between rivals

Despite the noise, Nancy was keen to strike a respectful tone towards St Mirren.

“They were the better team on the day,” he admitted. “They were aggressive, organised and took their chances. That’s football.”

He also downplayed the idea of a personal dispute with Ayunga, insisting his comments were aimed at addressing the wider reaction rather than engaging in a war of words.

“There is no feud,” Nancy said. “My focus is Celtic improving us, helping these players grow, and responding in the right way.”

What next for Celtic?

The defeat means Celtic must now turn their attention back to league action, where consistency will be vital in maintaining their title challenge. Nancy hinted at possible tactical adjustments but remained confident in his squad’s mentality.

“This is a moment to learn,” he said. “How we respond will say a lot about us.”

For St Mirren, the victory represents a landmark achievement, with Ayunga’s name etched firmly into club folklore.

For Celtic, the questions will not go away quickly. But Nancy’s message was clear: he is not prepared to let one painful cup loss  or the comments that followed derail his long-term vision.

As the dust settles, attention will turn to results, performances and whether Celtic can transform this disappointment into momentum. One thing is certain: the League Cup shock has ensured that Wilfried Nancy’s project is now firmly under the spotlight.