Under-fire Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy has insisted he understands Scottish football, bizarrely referencing a failed move to Carlisle United south of the border as a reason why.

Nancy replaced Martin O'Neill at Celtic Park earlier this month but has lost all four of his matches at the helm, the latest coming against Dundee United on Wednesday. 

The 48-year-old was subjected to a chorus of jeers from the travelling support at Tannadice Park after his team fell to a 2-1 defeat, despite Daizen Maeda putting them ahead. 

Indeed, Celtic lost after scoring the opening goal in the Premiership for the first time since December 10, 2023, against Kilmarnock (55 games without defeat).

The Frenchman is now immediately under pressure, with many suggesting the transition from coaching the Columbus Crew in MLS has proven too difficult. 

It was here that Nancy made a rather confusing point about nearly joining Carlisle, which is, of course, in England.

"No, no," he responded when asked if he'd underestimated the game in Scotland. "No, I know Scottish football. I know the way it is.

"I come from France. I come from Europe. I was close when I was a player to signing with Carlisle. So, I know exactly where I am. I know that Scottish football is physical.

"I know that there is a lot of intensity. I know that there is a lot of fight. And the referees don't whistle a lot. I know that.

"I think that, again, today, since I came here, it is not like we went off the record. But, again, in terms of results, because I'm judged on that, you are talking like this, and I take it.

"But at the end of the day, I think that we, again, I'm going to repeat myself, we are improving.

"But, tonight, it's a perfect situation regarding what we should have done or could have done to win this game. But we have to do better in this situation."

Nancy has overseen a league defeat to Hearts, who are now six points clear of Celtic at the summit, as well as a loss to Roma in the Europa League. 

Celtic were also beaten 3-1 in the Scottish League Cup final by St. Mirren, and following their defeat away to Dundee United, Nancy has made some unwanted history. 

Indeed, Celtic have now suffered four consecutive defeats across all competitions for the first time since 1978, when Jock Stein was at the helm. 

In the club's entire history, only in October 1947 and April 1953 have they ever suffered five losses in a row, with Aberdeen the visitors to Celtic Park this Sunday.