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

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

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

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks since the previous manager resigned, securing six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic 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 tough match of course and good luck to him. At least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."