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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for over a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, achieving six victories in seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the person that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his debut game in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at the Danish side during Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I will have a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in several respects, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."