Wilfried Nancy Is Set to Lead for the Glasgow Giants This Week - O'Neill

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now seems poised to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start 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 least he's getting a side with some confidence."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to claim their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."