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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager departed, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second spell in charge.

However, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic in the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual who will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a team with some confidence."

That confidence stems from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks before they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."