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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be in the Celtic dugout for this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently seems poised to complete a deal.

O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for more than four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, achieving six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic from 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's trip to Easter Road – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will manage the team for Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the person that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there's some formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat Dundee and the Jambos see off Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a tough match of course and good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a team with some confidence."

That confidence stems from the interim manager's results in matches over the past five weeks, where he has suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss at Midtjylland in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim a first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the victory in Rotterdam was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was not simple," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester City, Villa and Ireland manager says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem either. It becomes his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."