The search for Brendan Rodgers successor is underway with Martin O’Neill in charge on an interim basis

14:46, 20 Nov 2025Updated 19:14, 20 Nov 2025

Wilfried Nancy

Celtic have been urged to hold off bringing in Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy until after the Premier Sports Cup final.

The Scottish champions revealed that Martin O’Neill will continue to lead the team on an interim basis amid the manager search.

Barring any late twists, O’Neill will remain in charge when league action restarts against St Mirren alongside Shaun Maloney.

But the Frenchman has been made the no.1 target after an initial approach from Parkhead power broker Dermot Desmond following the departure of Brendan Rodgers.

Parkhead icon O’Neill has held down the fort since the sudden exit of Rodgers – winning three of his four games and leading the Hoops to the Hampden showpiece by seeing off Rangers in the semi-final.

The Irishman’s only defeat in his second spell came in the Europa League defeat to FC Midtjylland, and Ledley reckons that he should be given until December 14 and the chance to lift silverware when Celtic face St Mirren.

Speaking to Gambling.com at the Scottish Masters, Ledley said: “What he has done domestically has been spot-on. A lot more goals and clean sheets.

“Disappointing in the Europa League, but I think that’s what happened this season with Celtic – they’re struggling in Europe.

“Also he’s got a final under his belt, and it’d be great to see Martin O’Neill lead that team out. He deserves to as well, and it (the final) is just around the corner.

“So it wouldn’t surprise me if Martin is still in the job until after the final, and it gives time for Celtic to then organise and see what they want to do going forward.

“There’s a lot of candidates out there, a lot of good managers on the radar. So let’s just hope this one is the right one.”

(Image: Joe Toth/Shutterstock)

Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy has surprisingly been touted as an alternative to Nancy in reports south of the border.

But he has declared he is not in the running for the Celtic Park hot seat.

Asked if he had heard anything from the Hoops, the gaffer said: “Nothing.

“I feel genuinely privileged to be here. I hope to stay here for a long time if they’ll have me. I’m genuinely very, very grateful to be here.

“I’m just genuinely very grateful for being at Cardiff. The dressing room I’m working with is outstanding. The city and club is brilliant for me. So my focus is totally on trying to win on Saturday.”

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