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

PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich: Champions League holders beat Bayern in nine-goal thriller in first leg of semi-final

PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich: Champions League holders beat Bayern in nine-goal thriller in first leg of semi-final

A nine-goal Champions League classic saw holders PSG sensationally beat Bayern Munich 5-4 in the first leg of their semi-final in Paris.The goal-fest,...

EA SPORTS FC 26: Bruno Fernandes the highest-rated player as Premier League Team of the Season is revealed

EA SPORTS FC 26: Bruno Fernandes the highest-rated player as Premier League Team of the Season is revealed

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes is the highest-rated player in the EA SPORTS FC 26 Premier League Team of the Season.The midfielder who has enjoye...

Mohamed Salah injury: Liverpool legend may have played final game for club after hamstring strain in Crystal Palace win

Mohamed Salah injury: Liverpool legend may have played final game for club after hamstring strain in Crystal Palace win

There was a look of disbelief on Mohamed Salah's face as he smiled wryly beneath the Anfield sun - surely it couldn't end like this.For a moment, it w...

How Fran Kirby, Ilona Maher and Aryna Sabalenka are protecting next generation from body image concerns

How Fran Kirby, Ilona Maher and Aryna Sabalenka are protecting next generation from body image concerns

"Everyone should feel that they can do whatever they want to their body and look the way that they want to look. And as long as you're happy with it,...

Brighton: WSL team reveal plans for first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe

Brighton: WSL team reveal plans for first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe

Brighton have revealed their plans for the first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe.The proposals were first approved by...

Dundee United 3-0 Dundee: Will Ferry double seals derby win for hosts

Dundee United 3-0 Dundee: Will Ferry double seals derby win for hosts

Will Ferry was the home hero with a decisive derby double as Dundee United comfortably beat Dundee 3-0 at Tannadice.The wing-back netted in both halve...