🔗 Share this article

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure their first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."