🔗 Share this article

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the positive run during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the job."

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

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