Wilfried Nancy Will Take Charge for Celtic This Week - O'Neill

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

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