Nancy Is Set to Lead for the Glasgow Giants This Week - Martin O'Neill

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the positive run during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. 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 on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."