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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and now seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six victories in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He's the man that will be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory in his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the positive run on the field in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in many ways, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."