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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture against Hearts.

The manager has been involved in advanced negotiations with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently looks set to complete a contract.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since the previous manager resigned, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the team to Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who once coached the club from 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he believed Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game in his second stint at the helm.

Yet, the interim boss disclosed he will lead Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy takes over.

"He is the individual that will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"This has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life where you think 'did that actually occur?' Am I pleased that I took the role? Most certainly."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership if they win in his first match as manager.

"That's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture of course and I wish him well. At least he inherits a side with some self-belief."

That confidence comes from the positive run in matches in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim their first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, so that was difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, with three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

Future Ambitions

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration about whether he desires to carry on managing going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect about things after the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast that I was capable of doing this job just as poorly as many other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, interacting with young people every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given full autonomy. Should he desire my opinion on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that is okay at all. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."