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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the team to League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee the team in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He's the man set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

That confidence comes from the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."