S-MART MONEY

Ally believes Bhoys would be wise to hold onto O'Neill for the season

- GAVIN BERRY

ALLY McCOIST admits he's “surprised” at the imminent appointment of Wilfried Nancy at Celtic after believing Martin O'Neill would have stuck around until the end of the season.

The Frenchman (above) is set to be unveiled early next week as he prepares for a Hoops dugout bow at Parkhead when Steven Presley's Dundee visit in the Scottish Premiership.

Hearts are four points clear of Celtic, albeit the four-in-a-row champions have played a game less, at the league summit with the top two due to clash in the east end of Glasgow on December 7.

McCoist is refusing to rule out a shock Hearts title triumph - which would end a 40-year Old Firm stranglehold - despite their first loss of the season at Aberdeen on Sunday. But on Nancy's appointment he told Online slots site talkSPORT Bet: “I'm a little bit surprised, to be really honest.