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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 match versus Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six victories in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to lead the team in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At least he's getting a team full of confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three matches left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should 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 team the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."