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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to lead the team in the midweek league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock 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 against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him well. At least he's getting a team full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players were then able to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We've given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

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

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."