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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline for Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently appears ready to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, notching six wins in seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic from 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's visit to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

But, the interim boss disclosed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I believed it was over last weekend, however there's some formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"It's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with some self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I've got some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a refresh for me in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

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

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

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