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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline for this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over a month since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he expected Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he is to oversee Celtic in the midweek Premiership match against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual set to be taking over," O'Neill told the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

Should Celtic beat their opponents and the Jambos overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run on the field over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, with three games remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Nancy.

"That decision is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the job."

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

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."