🔗 Share this article

As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will manage the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have 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."

Consultancy Role?

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 solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."