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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been part of advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost seven days and now looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, achieving six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man that will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to the top of the Premiership if they win during his debut game as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence comes from O'Neill's success in matches in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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