🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second stint in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish national team boss and his players were then able to secure a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."