Martin O’Neill reacts as Wilfried Nancy is announced as Celtic’s new manager

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At long last, Wilfried Nancy has been confirmed as Celtic’s new manager.

Just an hour before kick-off at Celtic Park against Dundee, Nancy’s arrival was confirmed by the club, as he gets ready to take his first training session on Thursday.

He will take the place of Martin O’Neill, who has done a remarkable job since replacing Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis.

O’Neill has won six of his seven games, and some have been calling for him to remain in post until the Premier Sports Cup final, or even the new year.

But it turns out that his final match will be against Dundee, as he looks for the perfect send-off at Celtic Park. He has discussed Nancy’s appointment before the match.

Martin O’Neill’s message to Wilfried Nancy at Celtic

Like most of us, O’Neill will not have been familiar with Nancy before the last month.

But he has been quizzed on his successor ahead of taking charge of his final match tonight.

READ MORE: Wilfried Nancy’s first words as the new Celtic manager

In reaction to the announcement, O’Neill spoke to BBC Scotland before kick-off.

He said: “It’s good, it brings clarity to everyone which is great. From my own point of view, it’s been a genuine privilege to come back. I was concerned about it.

“Selfishly, I wouldn’t have minded wrapping up at Easter Road. The new manager I’m sure will be watching the videos of the games before he takes over which is great for him.

“I’m not really bothered about [going out on a high]. I’m bothered about winning the game. And the players are bothered about winning. Tonight is about them rather than anybody else.

“No matter how good you are, if you lose a couple of games, regardless of how many championships you’ve won, players can lose confidence.

“The more you win, the more the manager’s words seem not only relevant, but real. I just want us to turn up and play as strongly as we can and try and win the game.”

Nancy has paid tribute to O’Neill’s interim spell, and will be hoping to continue the momentum which has been built over the last few weeks.

It all begins on Sunday…