Wilfried Nancy Will Take Charge for Celtic in the Coming Days - Martin O'Neill

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Premiership match against Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now appears ready to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins in seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the role."

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

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