Nancy Is Set to Lead for Celtic This Week - Martin O'Neill

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."