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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than four weeks since Brendan Rodgers resigned, securing six wins out of seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man that will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of self-belief."

This self-belief stems from O'Neill's success on the field in the last five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players then bounced back to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."