The head coach of Celtic has publicly dismissed concerns over his job security following a damaging home defeat to arch-rivals Rangers, insisting his team is on the verge of a significant turnaround despite a dismal run of form.
The match saw Celtic take a lead into halftime, only for a second-half collapse to allow Rangers to secure a victory that draws them level on points at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. The result marks a sixth loss in eight matches for the manager, who arrived at the club late last year.
In the aftermath of the final whistle, significant numbers of supporters gathered outside the stadium to voice their frustration, directing protests at both the club’s hierarchy and the technical staff.
Addressing the media, the coach maintained a united front with the club’s directors. When questioned directly about the threat to his position, he stated his focus remains solely on improving his team’s performance in critical moments. “The pressure comes from results, that is the current reality,” he acknowledged. “But that reality does not make me a defeatist. Far from it. We are genuinely very, very close to changing this situation.”
He pointed to periods of high-level play within matches as a source of his belief, arguing that fine margins and a lack of clinical finishing are costing the team. “The quality we showed at times was extremely high. I wouldn’t say this if it weren’t true. That’s precisely why I believe we are close to a shift. But for now, it’s about details and finding consistency. I am a firm believer we will turn this around.”
Meanwhile, the victorious Rangers manager played down immediate title talk despite the psychological boost of the win, emphasizing a focus on incremental progress and praising his squad’s growing belief.