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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins out of seven games, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

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

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