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

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently seems poised to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return in charge.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee the team for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game is certainly the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts see off Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with some confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success on the field over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to secure a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present big concern. 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 excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried 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 matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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