Nancy Will Take Charge for the Glasgow Giants This Week - O'Neill

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim their first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the moment he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."