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

As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and now looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top 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 between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results during games over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

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

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."