Martin O’Neill on his December discussions with Wilfried Nancy

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The Celtic Star

·7 January 2026

Martin O’Neill on his December discussions with Wilfried Nancy

Martin O’Neill has clarified the nature of his discussions with Wilfried Nancy after the Frenchman’s short-lived move to Celtic in early December…

Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill speaks at a mainstream conference on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at Lennoxtown after returning to the club following the sacking of Wifred Nancy. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock

The veteran Hoops manager, who previously stepped in following Brendan Rodgers’ unexpected exit in October, has once again been appointed on an interim basis after the club decided to sack Nancy following a disastrous 33 days in charge.

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Ahead of Nancy’s first match at the helm against Hearts earlier last month, O’Neill disclosed during a radio appearance that the pair had briefly spoken, with O’Neill offering guidance to the former Columbus Crew boss as he settled into life in Glasgow.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy reacts during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on January 03, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking publicly for the second time since his reappointment, O’Neill has now expanded on that encounter, shedding further light on what was discussed.

“I had 15 or 20 minutes with him, on the day after the Dundee game, so a Thursday up here, and it was fine. I thought he was a really fine man,” he said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel.

“I was not giving him advice; I was giving my opinion, if he was asking for it, and the conversation was fine. It wasn’t, please, it was not that Wilfried wanted to cut it short at all, in fact, if anything, it was probably me, in that aspect.”

03.01.2026 Celtic v Rangers, SPFL Premiership. Wilfried Nancy and Kwame Ampadu. Photo : Kenny Ramsay

O’Neill added: “No, it was really fine, he’s got his own ideas. I think that, obviously being natually disappointed, I think he will come again, and be a really good coach, or manager, whatever you call it these days.”

“Yeah, my conversation was not that long, but yeah, I just, I obviously wish him all the best at the time, and still do, so I have not spoken to him since, but I haven’t fallen out with him.”

Celtic v Falkirk 29.10.2025 Scottish Premiership. Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, Gavin Strachan and Mark Fotheringham Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

O’Neill will return to the dugout on Saturday as Celtic prepare to face Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United at Celtic Park. Celtic are currently in third place in the Scottish Premiership, three points behind theRangers (with a game in hand) and six points adrift of leaders Hearts.

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