Celtic’s managerial handover has taken another unexpected twist, with Wilfried Nancy’s arrival pushed further down the road and Martin O’Neill remaining in the dugout for at least one more match.
The French coach is still reportedly working through the necessary visa requirements before he can take up the post in Glasgow.
While Celtic were confident the matter would be resolved quickly, O’Neill must now prepare the team for Dundee at Celtic Park, adding yet another chapter to a caretaker spell that has already delivered stability, results and renewed energy inside the camp.
The holdup has inevitably fuelled speculation, but what is known is that bringing a manager from outside the UK involves a far more complex application process than many supporters might realise.
Nancy falls under the International Sportsperson Visa category, the same route used by elite players and coaches arriving from abroad. That alone introduces a timeframe that clubs can influence but cannot fully control.
To take charge legally, Nancy must first receive a governing body endorsement from the Scottish FA, confirming that he meets the criteria as an elite coach capable of contributing at the highest level of the game.
Celtic then have to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship as part of the application, which itself requires detailed documentation and approval. Only after those steps are completed can the visa request be lodged.
The process doesn’t end there. Nancy must also satisfy English language requirements, provide biometric information, and show he can support himself financially without relying on public funds.
These conditions are standard for anyone entering under this visa route, but they add layers of detail that take time to clear. Crucially, applicants based outside the UK can face waits of up to eight weeks before a decision is reached, depending on workloads and the complexity of the case.
What no one outside the club knows is when Nancy’s application was formally submitted. Interest only became public a little over a fortnight ago, and even if Celtic moved swiftly behind the scenes, the timeline was always going to be tight.
The club will be hoping it can be accelerated, but the guidance on such visas makes one thing plain: certainty isn’t guaranteed.
In the meantime, O’Neill continues to lead the squad with the same authority and composure that has defined this short return to the club.
His impact on results has been undeniable, and his presence has steadied a side that had looked fragile only a few weeks ago. While Celtic remain committed to ushering in a new long-term era under Nancy, the interim manager has ensured the handover is happening from a position of strength rather than damage control.
For Celtic, the focus now is on ensuring the transition is handled correctly rather than quickly.
30th November 2025; Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Premiership Football, Hibernian versus Celtic; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill
With Dundee visiting on Wednesday and the fixture calendar showing no mercy, O’Neill’s extended stint gives Celtic short-term continuity at a crucial moment.
Nancy will arrive when the paperwork clears, but until then the team remains in the hands of a manager who has already made his mark on a pivotal stretch of the season.
