🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

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

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a 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 great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."