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 expected to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to claim a first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."