Wilfried Nancy Will Take Charge of the Glasgow Giants This Week - O'Neill

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side full of confidence."

That confidence stems from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."