🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the positive run during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly 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 new lease on life for me in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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