Wilfried Nancy Will Take Charge of Celtic in the Coming Days - O'Neill

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At least he inherits a side full of self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – 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 a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players 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 up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be silly."