🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee the team in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the positive run during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."