Wilfried Nancy to Celtic latest as next boss hunt hits red tape issue amid brilliant Martin O'Neill one-liner
The interim Celtic manager has provided an update on what comes next with the permanent boss.
Martin O’Neill has confirmed why Wilfried Nancy’s arrival at Celtic has been delayed after his side beat Hibs 2-1 in the Premiership.
The Irishman expected the clash at Easter Road to be his last as interim manager, having returned to the club he bossed from 2000-2005 after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation. He revealed pre-match that the game against Dundee on Wednesday is now one he could be in the dugout for, amid a delay in the hiring of Columbus Crew head coach Nancy.
He is rated as one of the MLS’ best coaches after his stint in Columbus and previously at Montreal. Speaking after the game, while not speaking of him by name, O’Neill confirmed it’s a red tape issue that’s holding up a deal for Nancy as he provided his latest intel.
Next Celtic manager latest
O’Neill said: “It’s a wee but strange to be honest. I was joking that whatever has happened to the paperwork, I have no idea – maybe I’m hiding it! I only found out on Saturday, I genuinely thought this would be my last game. I’ve said before, the legacy doesn’t worry me a jot. Coming here and failing worried me more, really failing. That could have happened. The players and the backroom staff have been brilliant.
“As I’ve said, if you are talking legacies, you are talking Jock Stein, and the rest of us follow on. Of course I have been delighted to have had the opportunity. I felt at the time, you’re concerned about coming back as you’ve not been properly in the game for some time. You haven’t thought like a manager or done those particular things for some years.
“The general view is today that it’s a young man’s game and managers who might have considerable experience are considered old fashioned in a lot of aspects. But I was blessed coming in here with young men who I’d managed and have gone on to become excellent coaches. They have been great to me and for me, so I can’t ask for any more. And the players’ response has been terrific, really terrific, especially the Feyenoord game, even if, to me, this one was more important.
Martin O’Neill on Hibs 1-2 Celtic
“In fairness to the new manager coming in, the board have made their decision on that and it’s only fair to him to get in and get his feet under the table and look at the side. He has some really great games to look forward to coming up. Nothing will be easy, of course, but it’s an exciting time. He’ll take over a side that’s, brimming might be too strong a word, but certainly with loads of confidence about themselves.
Two goals inside a singular first half minute from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels was enough for Hibs to win the game, having won 3-1 at Feyenoord in the Europa League less than 72 hours earlier. He added: “The game went maybe the way I thought it might do. I thought we’d lose energy in the second half. We played some great stuff in the first half and the second goal was like the way we played against Feyenoord, with some lovely moves as well.
“A third goal before half time would have been great, with the one that hit the post. Second half Hibs came roaring back, got the penalty and we were on the back foot. But we dug it out – and that was the most important thing. Just to win here was great, particularly after the exertions of Thursday night. We were probably out on our feet in the last 10 minutes but we seen it thought. I couldn’t be more pleased with the team. They’ve shown some resilience as well as the ability to play more than decent football.”