Nancy Will Take Charge for Celtic This Week - Martin O'Neill

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the person who will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up last weekend, but there's some formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."