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

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently looks set to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories in seven games, narrowing the lead at the top in the league table while also steering the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his second spell in charge.

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

"He's the person who will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be completed. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

An Unusual Period

"It has been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased to have taken it on? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At the very least he takes over a side with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the role."

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

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