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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership clash versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently seems poised to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he thought the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to manage Celtic for the midweek league encounter against Dens Park before Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I assumed my time was up last weekend, however there remains formalities still to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been surreal," he added. "It's like a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take Celtic to summit of the Premiership if they win during his first match in charge.

"That's a decent start for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a side with some self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland during Europa League.

However, the former Irish manager along with his squad were then able to achieve a first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We've given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he desires to carry on managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things after Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for Nancy to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

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