Celtic hit new work permit trouble in Wilfried Nancy appointment, contingency plan now in action
Celtic will have to wait a little longer to appoint Wilfried Nancy as a new sticking point has emerged.
Martin O’Neill has taken interim charge of the team in recent weeks, and has achieved some strong results with the top of the Premiership table now firmly back within reach.
O’Neill even led Celtic to an impressive 3-1 win at Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday night, but has since been frank about his future.
The Bhoys have seemingly been edging towards Nancy’s appointment for several weeks now, but a key issue has now emerged that will add an unwelcome delay.
Martin O’Neill to take charge of Dundee clash on Wednesday
O’Neill recently suggested that Celtic’s trip to Hibernian on Sunday would be his final game with the responsibility of leading the team, but that now looks set to change.
The 73-year-old will also be in charge for the visit of Dundee in the Premiership on Wednesday night, according to BBC Scotland’s Kheredine Idessane via his X account.
The journalist understands that the final stages of the paperwork surrounding Nancy’s imminent arrival are still yet to be completed, meaning that O’Neill’s interim tenure will need to be extended.
Idessane understands that the delay surrounding Nancy’s appointment is likely to be down to an issue relating to his work permit, with the 48-year-old having never previously worked in the UK throughout his career.
Celtic will have no concerns due to O’Neill’s Premiership record
The Celtic board have clearly outlined Nancy as the correct man to lead the team forward, but they will certainly have no qualms about extending O’Neill’s tenure for as long as they need to.
The former Aston Villa boss boasts a 100 per cent record in the Premiership since he was put in charge of the team at the end of October, and that has fired the Bhoys right back into title contention.
Celtic are now just five points behind leaders Hearts with two games in hand, and they could easily cut that gap again in their clash at Easter Road on Sunday.
O’Neill was very much assigned as a temporary solution, but he could potentially end up playing a pivotal role in their season if he can see out his tenure with another pair of victories.