🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six wins in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second stint in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he is to manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."