Football Dec 07, 2025

Martin O'Neill expects Celtic's trip to Hibs will be his last as interim boss ahead of Wilfried Nancy arrival

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Martin O'Neill expects Celtic's trip to Hibs will be his last as interim boss ahead of Wilfried Nancy arrival

Martin O'Neill expects Sunday's Scottish Premiership trip to Hibernian will be his last match as Celtic's interim manager.

The 73-year-old returned to the Celtic dugout in October, 20 years on from his first spell as Parkhead boss, after Brendan Rodgers' resignation.

One month on, and the Hoops are closing in on the appointment of Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy.

"I was speaking to some of the board members last night, things are progressing very nicely, so I'm hoping that things will be in place by the beginning of next week," O'Neill told SportNews News when asked about Celtic's managerial hunt.

"It has been a whirlwind time. If you ask me deep down, have I loved it? Yeah, I probably have, [even if] the face doesn't always say that!

"Did I know that this was always going to be interim? Yeah, of course. Have I got used to the surroundings here at this minute? I'm not sure about that, really strange from my days way back at Celtic Park.

"I think the lovely thing about it is, the team, the players, they've really responded.

"The best example of that was against Feyenoord. We were a goal behind after 11 minutes, when we probably should have been one in front. Heads could have easily gone down, but no, they fought back, played some great, great stuff, and we won. We deserved to win a game in Holland, in the Europa League."

In the month that O'Neill has been in temporary charge, Celtic have won all four domestic matches, including a 3-1 win over Rangers to reach the League Cup final, plus that Europa League win at Feyenoord - the club's first away win in Europe since November 2021.

If Nancy is appointed in the coming days, his first match in charge should be at home to Dundee in the Premiership on Wednesday.

The 48-year-old started at CF Montreal where he won the Canadian Championship, before then helping Columbus Crew clinch the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup.

He also guided Crew to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final during his three years in the US, whilst also being named MLS Coach of the Year in 2004.

When asked what Nancy should expect at Celtic, O'Neill added: "Hopefully, he'll find a side that is bubbling with a bit of confidence, which is great, and that's a restoration of that there, I suppose, from previous weeks in that sense.

"He'll have a fair idea of what he's coming into, and he doesn't need any guidance from me."

Tags:

football news id:13476607

Share this article

Related Posts

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has returned from long lay-off stronger and fitter, says Arne Slot

Liverpool striker Alexander Isak has returned from long lay-off stronger and fitter, says Arne Slot

Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City will come too soon for Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, but head coach Arne Slot says the Swede no...

Liverpool's daunting end-of-season run is set to shape Reds' campaign and decide Arne Slot's future at Anfield

Liverpool's daunting end-of-season run is set to shape Reds' campaign and decide Arne Slot's future at Anfield

Liverpool will play at least 10 games between now and the end of the season that are set to determine whether this campaign will be one to remember or...

Alexia Putellas: Barcelona's eternal captain strengthens Women's Champions League bid on Spotify Nou Camp return

Alexia Putellas: Barcelona's eternal captain strengthens Women's Champions League bid on Spotify Nou Camp return

Not even the sight of multiple construction cranes towering across the skyline could ruin the spectacle of Barcelona Femeni's grand return to the upgr...

Middlesbrough vs Millwall: Can the Lions stun Boro and blow promotion race wide open on Good Friday?

Middlesbrough vs Millwall: Can the Lions stun Boro and blow promotion race wide open on Good Friday?

How much more decisive can you get?Just seven games to go of the Championship season and Millwall are currently sat in fourth spot, two points behind...

Tottenham: Premier League relegation to Championship possibility put into perspective by Spurs transfer spend, stadium size and trophies

Tottenham: Premier League relegation to Championship possibility put into perspective by Spurs transfer spend, stadium size and trophies

If Tottenham are relegated from the Premier League it will be one of the biggest stories in the competition's history. For all the analysis of what h...

FA Cup quarter-final talking points: Spotlight on Max Dowman for injury-hit Arsenal, how strong will Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot go?

FA Cup quarter-final talking points: Spotlight on Max Dowman for injury-hit Arsenal, how strong will Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot go?

Man City vs Liverpool - Saturday, kick-off 12.45pmThere is still plenty of silverware for both Man City and Liverpool to win this season - so it will...