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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership match versus Hearts.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and now looks set to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table and guiding the club to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second stint in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person who will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I assumed my time was up on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It feels like a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish manager and his players were then able to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We've given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional when the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."