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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership clash against Hearts.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and now seems poised to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, achieving six victories in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed the trip to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his return in charge.

But, O'Neill revealed he will oversee Celtic for the midweek Premiership match against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be coming in," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been surreal," he added. "It's like a chapter in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win during his first match in charge.

"It's a decent start for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, where he has lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That proved to be a tough game – a couple of weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, so that was difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to try to qualify, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

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

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I will have a little think on everything following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He must be given full autonomy. Should he desire my advice on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the moment he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."