🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second stint in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss 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.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the role."

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

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