Sawt Falasteen - Nancy aims to restore Celtic faith with Scottish League Cup final win

The Frenchman will arrive at Hampden Park following a difficult first week in charge that saw him become the first Celtic manager to lose his first two games when Italian side Roma won 3-0 at Parkhead in the Europa League on Thursday.

Nancy's tenure started with a 2-1 loss at home to Hearts that left Scottish champions Celtic three points behind the Premiership leaders, albeit with a game in hand.

Those two defeats mean an already fierce spotlight is shining even more strongly upon the former Columbus Crew boss, although he insisted Friday his concern was for Celtic to win another trophy rather than convince supporters he was the right man for the job.

"For me, no. For my players, yes, and for the fans, yes, because like I said, you start to know me now," Nancy told reporters. "Yes, I would like to win the trophy.

"I'm pretty sure that if we don't win it, it's going to be difficult because when we lose, it is painful.

"But I am optimistic as a person, so hopefully we're going to do it, and also it's going to validate what we are doing."

Nancy added: "Again, I'm going have many other times to do my stuff and to convince the fans that I am the right guy.

"To be honest, it is not difficult to prepare for the game. It's a final, so in terms of motivation and stimulation it's going to be there, no doubt. Obviously, the fact that we didn't win the last two games, mentally, it could be that we have a bit of a uncertainty, I would say.

"But to be honest, having had a good discussion with the players, we know what we did well, we know what we need to improve and everything is clear, and they are really focused on this game."

N.AbuHussein--SF-PST