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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now appears ready to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team full of confidence."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results during games in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

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

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."