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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought the visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, but there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos see off Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

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

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled 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 an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is okay either. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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