Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Wilfried Nancy will take over as the new Celtic manager this week. This announcement comes ahead of an important match against Hearts, which could prove crucial in the race for the Premiership title.
Potential Impact on the Premiership
If Celtic secures a victory against Dundee and Hearts successfully defeat Kilmarnock, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership in his inaugural match. O’Neill commented on the upcoming match, describing it as a challenging yet promising start for Nancy.
Past Performance and Confidence Boost
Celtic has shown significant improvement over the past five weeks, having lost only once during that span. Their sole defeat came in a Europa League match against Midtjylland, where they were defeated 3-1. However, they rebounded impressively by winning against Feyenoord, also in the Europa League, securing a 3-1 victory—it was their first away win in Europe since 2021.
Upcoming Matches
Celtic currently sits 21st in the 36-team table with three crucial matches remaining. These include fixtures against:
- Roma
- Bologna
- Utrecht
O’Neill expressed that despite the tough competition, the recent win against Feyenoord has restored the team’s confidence. He emphasized the importance of the remaining games in qualifying for the next round.
O’Neill’s Reflections
Reflecting on the team’s progress, O’Neill noted the challenge posed by Midtjylland, which defeated Nottingham Forest earlier. He remains optimistic about the team’s chances moving forward, highlighting their strong performance in the Feyenoord match as a key indicator of their potential.
