The response to Celtic extending the interim partnership of Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for at least a few more days has been remarkably mixed. Some supporters immediately feared the worst, convinced that top target Wilfried Nancy must have rejected the job. Others were unfazed, adopting more of an “In O’Neill we trust” attitude.
But there’s really no need for panic from those eager to see the club announce their next permanent manager. One crucial, and rather obvious, point seems to have been overlooked amid all the frantic speculation: Wilfried Nancy requires a work permit.
Until that paperwork is approved, he cannot lead a single training session in the UK—let alone manage a Premiership match. Even if Celtic already have a full agreement in place with Nancy and his chosen backroom staff, and even if decisions have been made regarding which current Scottish coaches might be retained, the club must wait for clearance from the Home Office before he can officially step into the technical area.
This process includes obtaining a Scottish FA “governing body endorsement” for a Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa, which may even require an independent panel to assess Nancy’s qualifications if he does not automatically meet the criteria.
That raises the possibility of Celtic announcing Nancy as Rodgers’ successor but making it clear that the appointment is pending government and SFA approval. In the meantime, a steady hand is required, and O’Neill fits that role perfectly. It is almost certain he will take charge of the trip to St Mirren on Saturday evening—a dress rehearsal for next month’s Premier Sports Cup final.
Could O’Neill still be in the dugout when Celtic walk out at Hampden? It’s not impossible. Nancy has just completed a full and demanding MLS season and may need, or be advised to take, a short break before diving into one of the most intense jobs of his career. If that happens, Celtic already have the O’Neill–Maloney team in place to guide the squad.
The upcoming fixtures would be a baptism of fire for any incoming manager: away to St Mirren, Feyenoord, and Hibs, followed by three difficult home matches against Dundee, league leaders Hearts, and Roma in the Europa League. Then comes the season’s first final—the very one O’Neill helped the club reach after delivering a much-needed lift against Rangers.
There’s a growing sentiment among some fans that the 2003 UEFA Cup finalist deserves another crack at silverware. If the Celtic board—and possibly Nancy himself—share that sentiment, O’Neill’s interim reign could stretch on for several more weeks, far beyond what anyone initially anticipated.
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