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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to complete an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."