Martin O’Neill confirms end to “surreal” Celtic return against Dundee | OneFootball

Celtic legend Martin O’Neill has confirmed that he will take charge in his capacity as interim manager for the last time on Wednesday. The Irishman returned to the club in October after answering an SOS request from Dermot Desmond in the wake of Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation and has helped Celtic to the Premier Sports Final, winning each game in the league and winning away against Feyenoord.

It had been anticipated that Sunday’s trip to Easter Road would be his final outing before Wilfried Nancy takes over. Speaking to TalkSport’s Jim White and Simon Jordan, O’Neill confirmed the Frenchman’s impending arrival before reflecting on his return to Paradise.

“He is the man that will be coming in. I thought it was over on Sunday, but there’s some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game. It’s been surreal. It’s like a part of your life where you think ‘did that really happen?’ Am I delighted that I’ve done it? Absolutely.

‘It wasn’t easy. There is a fear of failure for a start, but I always used to boast to Simon, I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers. I’ve learned a lot.

“I’ve had some great young coaches beside me – boys who have actually managed – and that has been great. It has been a reinvigoration of me in some ways, dealing with young people every day.”

Martin O’Neill at Easter Road, Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

There is an element within the support that O’Neill should be in situ until after the Premier Sports Cup Final against St Mirren given the important upcoming games against Hearts and Roma. Although, it looks like the surreal return to Celtic will come to an end after the visit by Steven Pressley’s Dundee.

It remains to be seen whether Shaun Maloney or Mark Fotheringham will be kept on by the club. The team certainly appear more invigorated under MON and the ex-players. Nancy is expected to bring his No.2 Kwame Ampadu to the club but is eager to find a Scottish player that is knowledgeable about the league and Celtic.

Celtic would benefit from keeping MON around the club given his stature. The club are looking for leaders as they look to cool tensions with the support and unite the club, one man that would be well placed to do that would be O’Neill. However, it will require to be more than a gimmick for O’Neill, infl