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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Glasgow club for nearly a week and currently seems poised to finalize a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of temporary gaffer for over four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers stepped down, securing six wins out of seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he expected Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts see off Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by them," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in many ways, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my opinion on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the role."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be stupid."