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

As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to finalize an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six wins out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side full of confidence."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players were then able to claim their first away win in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."