Tierney and Forrest Seal First Celtic Win Under Nancy

Wilfried Nancy finally tasted victory as Celtic manager as late goals from Kieran Tierney and James Forrest secured a 3–1 win over 10 man Aberdeen at Parkhead, easing the pressure after a difficult start to his reign.

The Frenchman arrived under intense scrutiny following four straight defeats, but his side dominated for long spells and led through Benjamin Nygren’s close range finish in the 39th minute before a dramatic closing stretch decided the contest.

Aberdeen’s task became far harder just before half time when defender Dylan Lobban was shown a straight red card for hauling down Daizen Maeda after a loose pass from goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov. Despite the dismissal, the visitors stayed alive, helped by a series of outstanding saves from Mitov that kept the scoreline respectable.

The result moves Celtic to within six points of Premiership leaders Hearts, with a game in hand, and offers a timely boost during a turbulent week off the pitch following chairman Peter Lawwell’s announcement that he will step down at the end of the year. Thousands of supporters staged an anti board protest outside the stadium before kick off, contributing to a strange and muted atmosphere inside Parkhead.

Celtic took control from the opening minutes, moving the ball quickly and pinning Aberdeen deep. Johnny Kenny narrowly missed a Maeda cross early on before Arne Engels fired over from distance as the home side threatened repeatedly without reward.

The pressure continued through the first half. Maeda somehow shot wide from close range after Mitov spilled a corner, while Kenny and Engels both wasted presentable chances. The breakthrough finally arrived when Nygren slid in Maeda’s cutback, sparking the first real roar of the afternoon.

Moments later came the decisive first half incident. Mitov misjudged a pass outside his area, Maeda pounced, and Lobban pulled him back with referee David Dickinson left with little choice but to dismiss the young defender.

Celtic resumed after the interval with relentless intent. Mitov denied Auston Trusty and Luke McCowan, then watched Nygren chip against the post from a tight angle. Anthony Ralston and Engels both struck the woodwork as Aberdeen rode their luck despite being a man down.

Against the run of play, the Dons levelled in the 74th minute. Kjartan Kjartansson released substitute Kenan Bilalovic through the middle and the 20 year old kept his composure to drive past Kasper Schmeichel, briefly silencing the home support.

With nerves creeping in, Celtic finally found the finish their dominance deserved. Three minutes from time, Tierney arrived unmarked at the back post to turn in a cross from Colby Donovan, restoring the lead. Deep into stoppage time, Forrest sealed the points from close range, extending his remarkable record of scoring in 17 consecutive seasons.

For Nancy, it was a vital first win that steadies the early narrative around his tenure. For Celtic, it keeps the title race alive and provides momentum ahead of a demanding run of fixtures where confidence, as much as points, will be crucial.