🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run on the field in the last month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."