🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

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

"That's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with some confidence."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."