Hearts to meet new foe vs Celtic this weekend as former Hibs boss set for personal thanks after job complete

Hearts are set to face a new threat this weekend when they take on Celtic - as a former Hibs head coach is lauded for his work at Parkhead.

The Hoops have announced that Wilfried Nancy will be their new permanent head coach following an impressive stint in the MLS with Montreal and most recently Columbus Crew. His debut will come in a top of the Premiership table cracker this Sunday when Hearts travel to Celtic Park, level on points with the current champions, after Wednesday’s results.

Celtic won 1-0 against Dundee in caretaker Martin O’Neill’s final match while Hearts dropped points at home in a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. O’Neill’s stint coming to a close has come with thanks for former Hibs boss Shaun Maloney, currently Celtic’s player-pathway manager, who assisted the ex-Hoops manager upon his return to the dugout.

Who is the new manager of Celtic?

Chairman Peter Lawwell commented: “We are really pleased to welcome Wilfried to Celtic. He is a manager with a record which demonstrates the kind of football which we know Celtic supporters love to see. We will give Wilfried all our support as we look to once again bring success to our fans.

“I want to express our sincere thanks to Martin, Shaun and our backroom team for all they have done in recent weeks during this interim period. They have done such a tremendous job in stabilising the team and restoring a real level of confidence, with some fantastic results domestically and in Europe.

“Martin has shown the kind of leadership he was always renowned for and together with Shaun and the others in our backroom team they have given us that level of quality which has been so important to us in recent weeks. Everyone at the club offers our appreciation for the job they have done.”

Wilfried Nancy on arriving at Celtic

Speaking ahead of taking on Hearts, Nancy said: “I am so happy to be named Celtic manager, it is a massive honour for myself and my family. Before I say anything else I want to do one thing – I want to thank the great Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney for all they have done in recent weeks with the team. The job they have done has been fantastic.

"These guys have given so much to the club across so many years and I know our fans, like me, all recognise the brilliant job they have done during this recent period. They have my total respect and my total gratitude. I hope to meet them both very soon and thank them personally. Now its up to me to carry on this great work and carry our great club forward and I can’t wait to get going and become part of such a brilliant institution. Celtic is one of the world’s proper football clubs, real atmosphere and heart and soul, real high standards and real demands, which I am ready for.

“I know the history, I know the values of Celtic and I know what is expected of me on this journey. I know what Celtic means to so many people and my No. 1 aim will be simple - to give our fans a strong, exciting, attacking, winning football team they can be so proud of. I look forward to seeing all our fans very soon and I hope we can enjoy some great moments together.”