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

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first away win in Europe since 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 hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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