Martin O'Neill has declared that incoming Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy will be granted a complete fresh start and should distance himself from the toxic atmosphere currently surrounding the Glasgow club.
Advanced Talks and Expected Arrival
Wilfried Nancy is now in advanced discussions with Celtic and could be formally appointed as early as next week. The 48-year-old French manager, formerly of Columbus Crew, is anticipated to arrive in Scotland by this weekend.
Nancy might even be present at Easter Road on Sunday to observe Celtic's match against Hibernian from the stands. Meanwhile, O'Neill will oversee Thursday night's Europa League encounter against Feyenoord in Rotterdam before managing the Hibs game.
Navigating Parkhead Protests
The appointment comes during a period of significant unrest among Celtic supporters, with fans repeatedly demonstrating against the club's board throughout this season. Last week's AGM had to be abandoned due to chaotic scenes, creating what O'Neill describes as a "toxic" environment.
However, the interim manager believes Nancy can rise above the turmoil. "I think that the new manager coming in should divorce himself from all those proceedings," stated the 73-year-old veteran, who took temporary charge following Brendan Rodgers' departure.
O'Neill emphasised that Nancy bears no responsibility for recent events and should focus solely on football matters. "This is a fresh start for him. He hasn't been party to anything that's happened in recent times," he explained.
Focus on Football Fundamentals
The experienced manager outlined what should be Nancy's primary objectives: "I would be saying: 'I have to try and win some football games'. Then maybe, if we can get a real team together that can go and compete, not just domestically, but obviously in European football. Well, that would be his job."
O'Neill acknowledged potential concerns about the ongoing protests affecting team performance but expressed hope that positive results could help restore unity. "I'm hoping it's just about ignoring anything that'd be happening elsewhere," he said, while conceding that prolonged unrest could eventually impact the squad.
Celtic supporters have maintained their protests against the board even during recent victories, including Saturday's win over St Mirren, creating a challenging backdrop for any new manager.
O'Neill's Future Role Uncertain
When questioned about potentially remaining at Celtic in a directorial capacity, O'Neill remained non-committal but humorous. "If they asked me, would I be a director of football? I know from the past that's the best role in football now because you can blame the manager for the bad results!" he joked.
Despite enjoying his brief return to management, the veteran admitted uncertainty about taking on a permanent week-to-week role. "Could I really do the job again week in, week out, for months on end? I really don't know," O'Neill reflected, while confirming he still possesses the energy and enthusiasm for football.
As Nancy prepares to take charge of a club facing both internal and external pressures, O'Neill's advice to focus purely on football performance might prove crucial to navigating the challenges ahead at Parkhead.
