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

As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the team to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which 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 have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."