Martin O’Neill has admitted he is still unsure whether he will take the team for Saturday night’s trip to St Mirren, with Celtic expecting significant movement on the managerial front before the weekend.
O’Neill has handled the interim period with typical composure, keeping training steady at Lennoxtown while the club completes talks with Nancy and prepares to move into its next phase. His tone makes clear that he views his role as a short-term handover, ready to step aside the moment the new structure is in place.
The timing is notable. With Celtic’s AGM taking place on Friday morning, there is a strong expectation inside the club that they will have their new man in position for the annual event, where supporters and shareholders will be looking for clarity. That increases the likelihood that Nancy’s unveiling could arrive before the squad travels to Paisley.
Even so, O’Neill continues to prepare for the scenario where he may still be required on Saturday night. With several internationals returning late and injuries still affecting selection, the interim boss remains available to lead the side if the formalities around Nancy’s arrival are not concluded in time.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Well, first things first, I enjoyed the couple of days off. It was a bit of a whirlwind, the fortnight beforehand.
“If there’s not an announcement now in the next few days, then I’m happy to still be there for the weekend game against St Mirren. Yes, absolutely.
“Let’s see what the next couple of days bring.
“We can only deal with what we have and just want to play as strongly as we possibly can.
“You may not [speak to me again].”
Those comments fit the wider picture as Celtic close in on Nancy, a coach who matches the club’s desired profile and is expected to be introduced into a structure already built for a head-coach model. O’Neill’s relaxed acceptance of the temporary role suggests he knows the transition is close to completion.
Nancy’s experience at Montréal and Columbus Crew, where he thrived inside a sporting-director-led recruitment system, aligns perfectly with Celtic’s way of working. That is a major reason the club are trying to secure the appointment before Friday’s AGM, where they will be expected to demonstrate direction after Rodgers’ exit. Having the new manager present would send a strong message of stability and planning.
Until everything is signed off, O’Neill remains the steady figure guiding preparations. With players returning from international duty and fitness issues still prominent, he is ready to front the team on Saturday if required. His calm approach has helped maintain focus during a period that could have easily drifted into uncertainty.
St Mirren pose a tough challenge at SMiSA Stadium, and O’Neill has already flagged their threat after scouting them recently. Whether he or Nancy leads Celtic out, the squad must be sharp, organised and ready for a physical contest. The coming days will determine whether O’Neill’s involvement extends one more match or whether Celtic’s new era officially begins before the weekend.
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