Nancy Is Set to Lead for Celtic This Week - O'Neill
According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match versus Hearts.
Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.
O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.
The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.
Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.
"He is the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."
A Surreal Spell
"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."
If the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.
"That's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side with some self-belief."
The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results during games over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.
Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to achieve their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 last week.
Rebuilding Belief
"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."
Thoughts on the Future
Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue managing in the future.
"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."
"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."
"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in many ways, dealing 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 City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.
"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."
Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.
"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be silly."