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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be leading Celtic for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

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

Martin O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins out of seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be coming in," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities still to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to the top of the table with a victory in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a wee think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

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

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