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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been part of detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six wins out of seven matches, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his second stint in charge.

However, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dundee prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Most certainly."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos defeat Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the positive run in matches over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad were then able to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they mauled Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a wee think on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. 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 great young coaches working with me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."