Nancy Will Take Charge of the Glasgow Giants This Week - Martin O'Neill

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team with some confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

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

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."