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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories out of seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will oversee the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

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

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

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."