🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second spell in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

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

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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