🔗 Share this article

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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