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

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks since the previous manager departed, securing six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club from 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed the trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the man set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It feels like a part of your life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I happy to have taken it on? Absolutely."

If Celtic defeat Dundee and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally but I wish him all the best. At least he takes over a team full of self-belief."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 loss at the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, with three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts on his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts on if he desires to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he admitted. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he continued. "There was a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned much. I have had some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a new lease on life personally in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for the new boss to make," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my advice on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded on Wednesday.

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