🔗 Share this article

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At least he's getting a side full of confidence."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

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

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."