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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been engaged in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six wins out of seven games, reducing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already indicated he thought the match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he is to oversee the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the person set to be arriving," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should Celtic beat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture in charge.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

The team's morale stems from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager and his players subsequently managed to claim their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks before they mauled Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We have given the team an opportunity, with three games left to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts on if he would like to continue managing in the future.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect about things following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

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

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."