🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."