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

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there's some formalities still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

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

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

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

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