🔗 Share this article

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since the previous manager departed, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

That confidence stems from O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."