Wilfried Nancy Is Set to Lead for the Glasgow Giants in the Coming Days - Martin O'Neill

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and now appears ready to complete a contract.

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

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the moment he enters the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."