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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six wins in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run on the field in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players subsequently managed to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be ridiculous."