Overview
- Celtic opened formal discussions with Wilfried Nancy after securing permission from Columbus Crew, with direct talks planned over the weekend.
- Celtic aim to have a new manager in place for the St Mirren match next weekend, with Martin O'Neill prepared to step aside once an appointment is made.
- The Guardian reports Celtic have informed Columbus of their plans and do not view compensation as prohibitive, while Record Sport says a multi-million fee would be required for a coach under a long-term deal.
- Columbus GM Issa Tull publicly emphasized Nancy is under contract and described him as "locked in" for 2026, as Nancy declined to comment on the links at his end‑of‑season press conference.
- O'Neill met principal shareholder Dermot Desmond in London as the club narrows options, with other candidates still under consideration even as Nancy is treated as the frontrunner.