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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, notching six victories out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the league table and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he expected the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his return in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual who will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there's some paperwork still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I took the role? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts see off Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course but I wish him well. At the very least he takes over a team full of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the interim manager's results on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Future Ambitions

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

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in several respects, dealing with young players every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the minute he enters the job."

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

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."