Nancy Is Set to Lead for the Glasgow Giants in the Coming Days - O'Neill

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a team with some self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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