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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly seven days and currently seems poised to complete a contract.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than a month since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the league table and guiding the club to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought the trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act of his return at the helm.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Nancy takes over.

"He is the man that will be coming in," O'Neill said to TalkSport. "I assumed it was over last weekend, but there's some paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat Dundee while the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

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

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results on the field in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We've given the team a chance, with three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his team the moment he steps into the breach."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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