Arne Engels opens up on ‘positive’ Celtic manager talks with Wilfried Nancy closing in

Celtic’s manager search is nearing its end, after a few twists and turns.

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Wednesday’s clash with Dundee will be his final game in charge, after assurances from the board.

This will pave the way for Wilfried Nancy to step in and take charge of Sunday’s clash with Hearts.

But before then, the focus will be on O’Neill’s farewell at Celtic Park, after an impressive interim spell in which he has won six games out of seven.

Arne Engels was questioned on the manager situation at his pre-match press conference, and was honest with his answer.

Arne Engels on Celtic manager situation ahead of Wilfried Nancy arrival

Engels is one of many to have rediscovered form under O’Neill.

The midfield of him, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor, which proved so effective in Europe for Brendan Rodgers last year, has been reunited.

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He will be hoping to continue his form in the Dundee clash, before which he was asked if he had been updated on Nancy’s arrival.

He said: “No, not yet. We don’t know anything yet, that’s why I’m saying that I don’t even know if it’s the last game for Martin.

“We don’t know anything about the new manager coming in. We know that there will be a new manager coming in, but who is it going to be? I don’t really know.

“Of course, we are going to talk about the names that are put into the carousel, every time.

“It’s also in the transfer window, that you see names coming by, obviously you talk about some names. Not all of them, of course, but obviously, we talked about some names in the dressing room.

“Obviously, there have only been positive talks about all the managers that came into that.

“We are in a good place now, and think it’s perfect timing now [for the new manager to come in]. Like you said, you have Hearts over the weekend, and then some nice games after that.”

Given that the support has had to rely on O’Neill for updates on the situation, it’s no surprise that the players have too.

Celtic players to have improved under O’Neill

Engels isn’t the only one to have rediscovered their mojo since O’Neill’s arrival.

In Rodgers’ last game – the defeat to Hearts – Auston Trusty was benched for Dane Murray, in a call that didn’t age well. Trusty has played every minute since, earning a recall to the US national side.

Johnny Kenny has scored four goals in five under O’Neill, while fellow striker Callum Osmand was trusted to come from the bench against Rangers, repaying that faith by scoring his first senior goal.

In the last few games, Yang Hyun-Jun has re-emerged from the wilderness to provide attacking returns, having been on the verge of leaving in the summer.