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

According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead the team for the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the person who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success on the field in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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