🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, securing six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."