Sources: Wilfried Nancy work permit latest as Martin O’Neill finalises Celtic exit
Martin O’Neill is preparing to step away from Celtic to allow Wilfried Nancy to take over, sources have told Football Insider.
The 73-year-old has turned the Bhoys’ fortunes around during his interim tenure, and his 100 per cent record in the Premiership this season remains intact after Sunday’s 2-1 win away at Hibernian.
O’Neill will also lead Celtic for the visit of Dundee on Wednesday night, in what could prove to be his final game in charge of the team at Parkhead.
The club hierarchy are understood to be delighted with the job that he has done in recent weeks, but everything is now ready for his successor to step through the door in Nancy.
Work permit issue will not prevent Wilfried Nancy appointment
Nancy has been the favourite to take over at Celtic for several weeks now, but a setback occurred last weekend in the club’s bid to appoint him.
It emerged prior to the Hibernian clash that there was a delay in the paperwork surrounding Nancy’s move, with a work permit issue at the centre of that stumbling block.
However, sources have now indicated to Football Insider that the delay is unlikely to put the appointment of Nancy in jeopardy at all, despite its unexpected nature.
The Celtic board are understood to be working hard to ensure that all potential eventualities are covered so that the agreement can be finalised as quickly as possible.
There is also thought to be a readiness from O’Neill to step away and let Nancy begin his work in trying to lead the team back to the top.
Martin O’Neill could have taken boardroom job at Celtic
Celtic’s recent AGM hit the headlines for the wrong reasons as chairman Peter Lawwell was forced to abandon it after unrest from fans throughout the meeting.
A statement on behalf of the board from Ross Desmond was the final straw of the meeting, as it was met by jeers from supporters, who had made their discontent known from start to finish.
Daily Record journalist Keith Jackson has since branded Desmond’s statement as “antagonistic” and feels that a compromise could have been struck, with O’Neill being handed a boardroom role to act as a “unifying figure.”
Instead, the board missed that potential opportunity, and O’Neill is seemingly now into his final days with the club.