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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second stint in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he is to oversee the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to secure a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."