Wilfried Nancy Is Set to Lead for the Glasgow Giants This Week - Martin O'Neill

Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over four weeks since the previous manager departed, securing six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the job."

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

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