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

Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, the Columbus Crew head coach will be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six victories out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his return in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage the team for the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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