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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Parkhead side for almost a week and now appears ready to complete a deal.

Martin O'Neill has served as caretaker manager for over four weeks ever since the previous manager resigned, notching six victories out of seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top in the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be his final act of his return in charge.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic for the midweek league encounter with Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the person set to be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I thought it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"This has been unreal," O'Neill continued. "It's like a part of your life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If the Hoops defeat their opponents while Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his first match in charge.

"That's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a tough match naturally and I wish him all the best. At least he's getting a side full of confidence."

This self-belief is a result of the positive run during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one loss away to Midtjylland in the Europa League.

However, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to achieve their first away win on the continent since way back in 2021 with a win over Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to try to qualify, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

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

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young people daily."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be given free reign. If he wants my input on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the role."

Presenter the interviewer ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."