WILFRIED: MY ASS IS ON FIRE

FROM BACK PAGE A defiant Nancy is adamant he doesn't have to prove his credentials to his critics = even though he is fully aware the heat is on.

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Nancy said: ‘I’m grateful to be here because Celtic is Celtic. It's as simple as that.

“But it comes back to results. I am craving to win games, not to shut the mouth of everybody.

“I don't do this battle. But just for my players, the board, the club.

“People might think I'm an idealist as a person but not at all. I know exactly who I am and exactly where I want to go. And I know at this moment, yeah, my ass is burning!

“But stay strong and do what you need to do to be better.”

‘And Nancy insists he has not been shocked by the furious reaction to the defeats which allowed Hearts to open up a gap at the top of the table, Roma to run riot in the Europa League and St Mirren to walk away with the first silverware of the season at Hampden on Sunday.

The ex-Columbus Crew boss said: “This is a normal reaction. Don't forget that I come from Europe, so I know the way it works.

“To be fair, also in MLS it's the same. Not with the same intensity, but I've been a player also, so I have no problem with that. They can say what they want and I understand that.

“I don’t have to prove anything for anybody.

“I have to just be coherent with my team and to do my job as best as I can. And, after that, I think that things are going to be more positive.

“I knew before I came here it could be difficult regarding the situation, the fact this is the first time for everyone to have a coach who comes in the middle of the season like this.

“So I knew it could be a lot of adversity, but, again, I’m really happy to be here’.

Nancy revealed he’s been

He said: “It’s been really rough and I have received maybe 100 messages from people, friends asking me, ‘Are you OK? You have to stay strong, you have done it before’.

“I’m grateful for that but it's going to come naturally. Again, understand me well, I am not invincible. But I know what I want to do and I know every day I can see improvements.