🔗 Share this article

As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At least he's getting a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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