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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The head coach has been part of serious talks with Parkhead side for almost seven days and currently looks set to finalize a deal.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager resigned, securing six wins in seven games, narrowing Hearts' lead of the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act in his second stint in charge.

But, the interim boss disclosed he is to manage Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should Celtic defeat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, the incoming boss could guide his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It is going to be a difficult game of course and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a side full of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the positive run during games over the past five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad subsequently managed to achieve their first victory on the road in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated to them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and win away from home was fantastic. We've given the team an opportunity, with three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a little think about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was apprehension about failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other gaffers."

"I have learned much. I have had some excellent coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a reinvigoration personally in several respects, dealing with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "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 at all. It's very much his team the minute he enters the job."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."