Wilfried Nancy has been sacked by Celtic after eight matches – and 33 days – in charge, in the wake of Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Rangers. Nancy lost six of his eight games and losing the Old Firm game from 1-0 up at half-time proved the final straw after a dismal spell.

The 48-year-old leaves with Celtic six points behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, and having lost the League Cup final to St Mirren.

Nancy was appointed on 3 December and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract after leaving the Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew.

The Frenchman’s disastrous reign was in stark contrast to Martin O’Neill’s interim spell that immediately preceded it. O’Neill won seven of his eight games, having stepped in temporarily to replace Brendan Rodgers, who resigned in late October. The board are likely to return to O’Neill having sacked Nancy.

Nancy’s tenure started inauspiciously with a home defeat against Hearts, before a 3-0 loss to Roma in the Europa League. Defeat in the League Cup final was particularly damaging, and was followed by a 2-1 loss at Dundee United. The result against Rangers on Saturday settled his fate.

“Celtic Football Club today announces that it has decided to terminate the contract of manager Wilfried Nancy, with immediate effect,” a statement said. “The club thanks Wilfried for his efforts and wishes him and his family well for the future.”

Celtic said Nancy’s assistants Kwame Ampadu, Jules Gueguen and Maxime Chalier and the head of football operations, Paul Tisdale, had also left.