🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."