Football Dec 07, 2025

Celtic set to announce Wilfried Nancy as Martin O'Neill confirms he will leave after Scottish Premiership match vs Dundee

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Celtic set to announce Wilfried Nancy as Martin O'Neill confirms he will leave after Scottish Premiership match vs Dundee

Martin O'Neill has confirmed his final game in charge of Celtic will be against Dundee, with Wilfried Nancy's appointment expected imminently.

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

He was expected to leave after Sunday's 2-1 win at Hibs, but has a chance to take the Hoops top of the Premiership with a win against Dundee if Hearts slip up at home to Kilmarnock.

"You will be relieved to know that this is definitely it for tomorrow evening, so I've been assured of it by the board," O'Neill said.

"A young gentleman's coming in and it's over to him.

"But obviously, we've got the big, big game here tomorrow evening and obviously, I'd like to try and win it if we can.

"It won't be easy. Dundee did this a few weeks ago, so we've got a bit of a job in our hands."

Celtic have won all four of their Premiership games under the Northern Irishman and also beat Rangers to reach this month's League Cup final.

They are now two points from leaders Hearts with a game in hand after dropping eight behind before Rodgers' departure.

"The nice thing about the players is that they have responded and they've shown a willingness to try and implement some of the things that I think are important about the game," the Northern Irishman added.

"That's really it. Some have maybe even been reluctant to do it, I don't know. I'm joking.

"They've been great, obviously, and I couldn't praise them highly enough.

"We've got one more game to go, for me. They've got big, big matches ahead, and those games are really important to them. The response has been terrific."

Since taking over from Brendan Rodgers, O'Neill saw the gap on leaders Hearts close from an eight-point deficit to just two with a game in hand.

The Hoops are also in the League Cup final after beating Rangers, plus could yet qualify for the next stage of the Europa League after a 3-1 win away to Feyenoord.

Speaking on SportNews, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton said: "Martin took over a team which was low on confidence. There had been issues performance-wise all season.

"Had he lost a few games and things went badly, people would have said 'he wasn't up for the job, he never should have come back'.

"I was worried about his legacy, because of my relationship with him, but I'm absolutely delighted for him."

When asked what O'Neill's impressive run of results means for Nancy, Sutton added: "Every passing win is going to really put the pressure on him because everybody will expect Wilfred Nancy to come in with the team, which seems to be more confident, and hit the ground running.

"It won't take long for things to turn, with Martin doing so well. I think it's really difficult for him because there are three games a week, and there's no real time to work on the training ground.

"If he does play a back three, which is apparently the way that he plays at Columbus Crew, to come in and implement that - I don't think that's easy."

Tags:

football news id:13478308

Share this article

Related Posts

World Cup 2026: Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (2-3 on penalties) - Mohamed Ouahbi's side set up last-16 clash with Canada

World Cup 2026: Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (2-3 on penalties) - Mohamed Ouahbi's side set up last-16 clash with Canada

Morocco secured their spot in the World Cup last 16 after beating Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in Monterrey, Mexic...

Mexico vs England: Pubs allowed to stay  open until 5am for Three Lions' World Cup last-16 tie

Mexico vs England: Pubs allowed to stay open until 5am for Three Lions' World Cup last-16 tie

England are through to the last-16 of the 2026 World Cup - but their clash against Mexico will not kick-off until 1am UK time.Pubs and bars will be ab...

Hearts: Scottish Premiership 2026/27 fixtures and schedule

Hearts: Scottish Premiership 2026/27 fixtures and schedule

Hearts will kick off their 2026/27 Scottish Premiership season at Aberdeen on August 1, live on Your Site.The Saturday evening clash at Pittodrie, sch...

World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia - Luis Diaz steals the show with goal and assist

World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia - Luis Diaz steals the show with goal and assist

In a World Cup where superstars have stepped up, Luis Diaz joined the party by registering a goal and an assist in Colombia’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan....

Women's World Cup play-off draw: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland learn opponents

Women's World Cup play-off draw: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland learn opponents

England will face Greece in the first round of the World Cup qualification play-offs as Sarina Wiegman's side look to book their place at the 2027 Wor...

World Cup 2026: USA's Folarin Balogun stars against Paraguay after rise at Arsenal and switch away from England

World Cup 2026: USA's Folarin Balogun stars against Paraguay after rise at Arsenal and switch away from England

Born in the USA and born for the big stage.Folarin Balogun was America's star on the opening night of their home World Cup, scoring twice in their thr...