Interim manager Martin O'Neill has declared that incoming Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy will inherit a team brimming with confidence as the Frenchman's appointment finally approaches completion.
The former Columbus Crew manager was expected to be confirmed before Wednesday's match against Dundee, but bureaucratic delays mean the official announcement will now come later this week.
O'Neill's successful interim spell
This administrative hold-up allows O'Neill to complete his eight-match temporary tenure, signing off after overseeing a remarkable turnaround in Celtic's fortunes. The 73-year-old's fourth consecutive league victory came on Saturday with a 2-1 win against Hibs at Easter Road, cutting the gap to Premiership leaders Hearts to just two points.
When O'Neill stepped in a month ago after Brendan Rodgers' departure, Celtic trailed Hearts by eight points. Now, with a game in hand and significantly improved performances, the veteran manager leaves the club in a far stronger position.
O'Neill has won six of his seven matches since returning to the helm, confirming that the delay in appointing Nancy stems purely from paperwork issues, with club officials expecting confirmation imminently.
Challenging start awaits new boss
Nancy faces a baptism of fire with his opening fixtures including a top-of-the-table clash with Hearts, Europa League action against Roma, and a League Cup final against St Mirren.
"Those are games to look forward to, I must admit," O'Neill stated. "I've not spoken to the man, but I'm quite sure he would want to get in here as soon as possible, to get going, and at least on the back of good results."
The interim boss emphasised that Nancy would take over a side playing with renewed belief, saying: "He'll take over a side that's - brimming might be too strong a word - but certainly with loads of confidence about themselves."
Hard-fought victory at Easter Road
Celtic's latest win saw them establish a two-goal half-time lead through strikes from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels, before weathering a second-half fightback from Hibs after Martin Boyle converted a penalty.
"I knew we would get really tired in the last 20-odd minutes of the game," O'Neill admitted. "And then with Hibs scoring so soon after half-time, we were definitely on the back foot. But we saw it through and that's what probably pleased me most today."
The manager praised his team's first-half performance, particularly noting their second goal resembled the quality shown in their recent Europa League display against Feyenoord.
Meanwhile, Hibs boss David Gray felt his side deserved something from the match after their improved second-half showing. "Once we got the goal, there was only one team going to go and score the next one, I felt," Gray said. "We definitely deserved to get something out of the game, apart from a two-minute period within the game."
As O'Neill prepares to hand over to Nancy, Celtic fans can reflect on a successful interim period that has reignited their team's Premiership challenge and restored confidence throughout the squad.
