Wilfried Nancy Is Set to Lead for Celtic in the Coming Days - O'Neill

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the person set to be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he's getting a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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