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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six wins out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side full of confidence."

This self-belief stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players were then able to claim their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."