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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and now seems poised to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture in charge.

"It's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success in matches in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."