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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, notching six victories out of seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course and I wish him well. At least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale stems from the positive run during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss and his players subsequently managed to achieve a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely up to Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the role."

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

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