🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

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

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

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

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."