Wilfried Nancy Is Set to Lead of Celtic This Week - O'Neill

According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now looks set to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match naturally but good luck to him. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."