Luke McCowan has spoken out in defence of Wilfried Nancy, insisting the Celtic dressing room remains united behind the head coach despite ...
Luke McCowan has spoken out in defence of Wilfried Nancy, insisting the Celtic dressing room remains united behind the head coach despite a run of results that has placed the new manager under heavy pressure.
The midfielder’s comments come at a moment when questions around belief, responsibility, and direction have been growing louder, both inside and outside the club.
Celtic’s start under Nancy has been brutal. Four defeats in four games, mounting fan anger, and constant speculation about the manager’s future have created a tense atmosphere.
In that environment, any sign of players losing faith would be deeply damaging. McCowan’s words, however, point firmly in the opposite direction, placing responsibility back onto the squad rather than the dugout.
The midfielder did not try to dress up the situation or pretend the performances have been good enough.
Instead, he leaned into honesty, acknowledging how difficult the moment is while stressing that accountability starts with the players themselves. That message matters at a time when blame is being thrown in every direction.
McCowan’s stance also reflects an understanding of what it means to play for Celtic. Pressure is constant, scrutiny is relentless, and excuses rarely land well.
By focusing on personal responsibility and collective standards, he offered a clear picture of how the squad is being asked to respond as Nancy tries to steady his footing.
He said: (RecordSport), “If I knew that we wouldn’t be doing it, I’m sorry. I know it’s a ridiculous answer.
“First and foremost every player in that dressing room is going to be looking at themselves first, regardless of who the manager is.
“And they can all say that they might not or whatever but that’s the first thing every player in that dressing room does.
“And then after that you can talk about certain styles of play, you can talk about whatever, but just as I said as a collective we need to be better.”
What comes through clearly is McCowan’s refusal to shift focus away from the players.
Rather than pointing to systems or decisions from the touchline, he stresses that performances on the pitch belong to those wearing the shirt. That message aligns closely with what Nancy himself has been saying since arriving, even as results have gone against him.
There is also an important signal in McCowan’s tone. He does not sound like a player distancing himself from the manager.
He sounds like someone trying to draw a line under outside noise and bring attention back to standards within the squad. In a period where rumours of unrest have been circulating, that distinction is important.
McCowan’s comments also hint at how difficult change can be mid-season. Nancy has asked players to adapt quickly, often without much time on the training ground.
While that has not translated into results yet, McCowan’s words suggest the players understand the process and are not using it as an excuse.
For supporters, the interview may not ease frustration, but it does offer clarity. The players are not downing tools. They are not blaming the manager.
Instead, they are being asked to look inward and take ownership of performances that have fallen well short of what is expected at Celtic.
The challenge now is turning that mindset into results. Belief and unity mean little without points on the board, especially at a club where patience is limited.
McCowan’s defence of Nancy buys no time on its own, but it does remove one potential fault line during a fragile spell.
The squad must improve quickly, regardless of who is in the dugout. McCowan’s message is simple and direct: the manager still has the players, but it is now on them to show it where it matters most, on the pitch.
