Wilfried Nancy Will Take Charge of Celtic This Week - O'Neill

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in the midweek league encounter with Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side with some confidence."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."