Celtic look set to head into Wednesday night’s league match against Dundee with Martin O’Neill still in the dugout, after another late twist in the timeline for Wilfried Nancy’s expected arrival.
The American-based coach had been lined up to begin his tenure on December 1st, but the process has taken longer than anticipated, leaving the club to turn once more to the man who has steadied the ship over the past fortnight.
O’Neill had initially prepared for Sunday’s match believing it would be his final outing as interim manager.
A smooth handover had been expected, with the club confident that paperwork and final approvals would be completed in time for Nancy to begin this week. Instead, Celtic have had to extend O’Neill’s caretaker role again, giving him the reins for at least one more match as the formalities continue.
The interruption to the original plan adds another layer to what has already been a hectic period at Lennoxtown.
O’Neill and Shaun Maloney have stepped in at short notice, guided the side through key fixtures, and kept Celtic on track during a point of transition. Wednesday now appears set to be another chapter in that unexpected spell as the club aim to maintain momentum at Celtic Park.
For O’Neill, the situation has unfolded rapidly. He has handled the uncertainty with composure, keeping the focus on the matches rather than the movement behind the scenes.
He said: (Sky Sports), “I thought it was my last game, then I got a call yesterday to say the process is still ongoing and there’s a decent chance I will still be here for Wednesday.
“I think that would definitely be the last one.”
Celtic now approach the Dundee fixture with a familiar face still at the helm, even if only temporarily.
The situation is far from ideal, but O’Neill’s presence provides continuity in the short term, and players have responded well to his guidance so far. His straightforward approach and calm handling of a volatile schedule have allowed the squad to concentrate on performances rather than speculation.
While the delay is frustrating, Celtic remain committed to finalising Nancy’s appointment.
The club had worked to bring him in for the start of December, aiming to give him a clear run into the festive period, but administrative hurdles have pushed that back. With a busy calendar ahead, the longer the delay, the more responsibility falls on O’Neill to keep the group aligned until everything is signed off.
The Dundee match now carries added significance in this context.
19th October 2025; Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Dundee versus Celtic; Drey Wright of Dundee challenges Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic
O’Neill will want to ensure his stop-gap spell continues with the same level of control and focus that has marked his early games. For the players, it becomes another test of adaptability, managing the uncertainty while trying to put three more points on the board.
Celtic supporters will be watching closely as Wednesday approaches, waiting not only for the football but also for clarity on when Nancy’s tenure will officially begin.
For now, though, it is O’Neill once again preparing the squad, guiding them through another unexpected turn in what has been a whirlwind few weeks at Parkhead.
