The Columbus Crew boss is locked in talks over replacing Brendan Rodgers in Glasgow’s east end
16:24, 17 Nov 2025Updated 19:48, 17 Nov 2025
Head coach Wilfried Nancy of the Columbus Crew(Image: Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has revealed that there is “nothing immediate” that would see him leave his role as Celtic interim boss.
But the Parkhead icon concedes that could all change before the Scottish Premiership emerges from cold storage this weekend and the Hoops face St Mirren.
Record Sport revealed that the Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy kicked off discussions with club chiefs on Friday night with the Hoops keen to get a deal done before Friday’s annual general meeting.
O’Neill has reinforced the timeline to replace Brendan Rodgers to talkSPORT – while revealing as it stands he remains at the helm during the international break.
Host Jim White revealed that he had spoken to the Irishman – who is a regular on the programme: “We mentioned Celtic a few moments ago, they seem to be moving closer to Wilfried Nancy.
“Mister Martin O’Neill – good friend of ours of course, quality guest on this show – has intimated to me that there is nothing immediate that would change his workload right now.
“His workload right now is being in interim charge of Celtic. That might change before the weekend.”
Record Sport understands that Nancy has been sold on the move but negotiations are ongoing and Celtic will also have to thrash out a compensation package with the MLS outfit.
The Frenchman has at least 12 months remaining on his current deal in the US and the 48-year-old could look to bring in his own backroom team.
Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill(Image: SNS Group)
Former Ireland international Kwame Ampadu has been his right hand man since the pair were in Canada at CF Montreal, while Yoann Damet is also a big part of his team in Ohio.
And with hurdles still remaining, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has questioned why the Parkhead decision-makers are in a rush to replace O’Neill with Nancy.
Columbus Crew’s season is over after defeat in the MLS playoff rounds, and Jordan quizzed: “I said Celtic could do worse than staying with Martin.
“If I was at Celtic I would be working now, and working my way towards the January window, and making sure every aspect of my appointment met every expectation I wanted to put on it, but I wouldn’t be racing. What is the point in a race?
“You have got a guy that is in there and he is doing alright. The team is winning games, what is the hurry?”
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