🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture of course but good luck to him. At least he inherits a team full of confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

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 boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."