🔗 Share this article

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during Sunday's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to complete a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks since the previous manager departed, notching six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results in matches in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game 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 going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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