Martin O’Neill to take charge of one final Celtic game as Wilfried Nancy arrival delayed

Wilfried Nancy’s move from Columbus Crew to Celtic has been delayed by a few days, meaning Martin O’Neill will take charge of one final match as interim manager when the Hoops host Dundee on Wednesday night.

The 73-year-old O’Neill returned to Parkhead in October after Brendan Rodgers’ resignation and has enjoyed a strong spell in temporary charge.

In seven games, Celtic have won six and lost just once – a Europa League defeat to Midtjylland – lifting the team from eight points behind leaders Hearts to within two points of top spot after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Hibernian.

O’Neill had believed that victory at Easter Road would be his farewell, with Nancy originally expected to start immediately.

However, final details of the Canadian’s switch from MLS are still being completed, pushing his Celtic bow back to Saturday’s crucial top-of-the-table clash with Hearts.

Nancy leaves Columbus as the most successful coach in the club’s MLS history. In 113 matches across all competitions, the 48-year-old Frenchman recorded a 49% win rate, well clear of the previous record held by Tom Fitzgerald (42%).

His crowning achievement came in 2023 when he guided the Crew to MLS Cup glory with a final victory over Los Angeles FC, adding the Leagues Cup title earlier that season.

Although Nancy will face an immediate examination against the current Premiership leaders on Saturday, O’Neill has no doubts about his successor’s ability to handle the pressure.

Wednesday’s visit of Dundee therefore becomes an unexpected swansong for one of Celtic’s modern greats, who won three league titles and reached the 2003 UEFA Cup final during his hugely successful first spell in charge between 2000 and 2005.

After the game, the baton will officially pass to Nancy as Celtic’s new era begins in earnest.