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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a team full of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."