Wilfried Nancy Is Set to Lead for Celtic in the Coming Days - Martin O'Neill

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."