🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories in seven games, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players were then able to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

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

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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