Nancy Will Take Charge of Celtic in the Coming Days - O'Neill

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership match versus Hearts.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park before Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview 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 cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."