Wilfried Nancy conceded that Celtic's poor start under his stewardship has been "difficult to accept", but he remains defiant in his hopes of turning their fortunes around. 

Nancy, who replaced interim boss Martin O'Neill earlier this month, has lost all four of his matches in charge of the Scottish Premiership giants, in all competitions. 

It is the first time Celtic have suffered four consecutive defeats since 1978, when Jock Stein was at the helm, with Aberdeen up next in the league.

Indeed, in the club's entire history, only in October 1947 and April 1953 have they ever suffered five defeats in a row, something Nancy is keen to avoid on Sunday. 

"For sure, it's difficult, because I know what we can do," Nancy said of Celtic's form. "I know what I can do also. But I know that, as a coach, we are judged on results.

"That's why this is difficult to accept personally, because I know that we are on the right track. And it's difficult for me. But, again, I'm going to take it."

But the history of this fixture does favour Nancy. 

Celtic are unbeaten in their last 32 meetings with Aberdeen in all competitions (W25 D7) since a 0-1 league defeat in May 2018.

Nancy's defeats have come against Hearts and Dundee United in the league, as well as Roma in the Europa League and St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final. 

They find themselves six points behind leaders Hearts, who will be top of the standings at Christmas for the first time since 1991. 

Following their midweek defeat at Dundee United, Nancy was greeted with boos from the travelling supporters, but he urged the Bhoys' fans to keep the faith. 

"The fans are not happy, I'm going to take that," the Frenchman added. 

"But I also believe that we can do better. And I think on Wednesday we were close to having a really good performance, but we didn't do better at the key moments.

"If you watch all the games that we play, all the time, I adjusted something. On Wednesday, I think that what we did was interesting, with the way we attacked.

"And we had many opportunities. So the idea is not to stay still, we add improvements all the time.

"I have to change certain things to see players but also to see how I can adjust a few players, how I can mix players together. And I think that, every game, I did that.

"My job is to still do it for the next game, and again, and again, and again. So that doesn't change."