MusaInterim Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill, has clarified his initial conversation with sacked former manager Wilfried Nancy.
On his second unveiling as interim manager following Nancy’s departure, O’Neill gave details of this meeting.
Ahead of the Frenchman’s first game as Celtic manager, O’Neill, speaking on radio, mentioned a brief meeting with the new gaffer, former Columbus Crew head coach.
He was said to have passed on some advice to Nancy.
O’Neill, 73, was brought in to steady the ship after Brendan Rodgers’ sudden resignation, having done the same once before.
The 15-to-20-minute conversation took place on a Thursday following a match against Dundee.
It appears to have been amicable, with O’Neill describing Nancy as a “really fine man,” before insisting he was just sharing opinions when asked, and not actively giving advice.
O’Neill said: “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 continued: “I was not giving him advice; I was giving my opinion, if he was asking for it, and the conversation was fine.
“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.”
He remarked that Nancy will likely rebound and develop into “a really good coach, or manager, whatever you call it these days.”
His second spell as interim manager begins this Saturday, as Celtic look to get back to winning ways against Dundee United.
The aim for O’Neill, undoubtedly, would be to steer the ship back to calmer, winning waters.
Musa
Kwaghterna Garshagu