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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently looks set to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since the previous manager departed, achieving six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's match at Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man set to be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table if they win during his debut game as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I genuinely don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking if O'Neill if he would be emotional when the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be stupid."