‘Not at end of storm, but light amid darkness for Wilfried Nancy at Celtic’

While that final touch remained elusive, the final straw moved closer.

There was no festive cheer at Celtic Park – certainly not pre-match – as boos echoed around the amphitheatre which is more toxic than a tonic for most these days.

Before the game, a large fan protest took place, engulfing much of The Celtic Way outside the stadium. Ironically, such supporters don’t think their club – and its hierarchy – are operating the way Celtic should.

While the anger is far from directed solely on Nancy, his dreadful start has not helped matters. Taking a team which won seven of eight under an interim manager who was a club legend and turning them into the butt of jokes will do that.

The hard-fought win over a 10-man side who played in Prague on Thursday – as deserved as it was – will not banish the concerns some have over his credentials. Nor will it paper over the start to his tenure.

Still, the manager stuck with his preferred 3-4-3 formation, with only one out-and-out central defender – Trusty – starting between two full-backs.

Had things gone wayward here, the clamour to cease such approach would have been deafening.

“That was unbelievable pressure he was under,” former Parkhead goalkeeper Pat Bonner said on Sportsound. “He does give himself a bit of time [with the result].

“It’ll be really interesting who he brings in this January. He’s just got to tighten up those defensive qualities and he might bring in a player to consolidate that.

“I’m sure they must have their homework done to bring in a couple of players that can actually enhance this way of playing and this team.

“If they don’t do that, then there’ll be more questions asked.”