🔗 Share this article

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a team full of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

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

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss 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 becomes his team the minute he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."