Nancy Is Set to Lead for Celtic This Week - O'Neill

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month since the previous manager departed, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will manage Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, however there remains formalities yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."