🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team full of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."