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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

But, O'Neill stated he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match with Dens Park before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, but there's some paperwork yet to be completed. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take Celtic to summit of the table if they win during his first match as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to achieve their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

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

"It was challenging," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do this job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the moment he enters the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."