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Per the words of interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership clash versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in serious talks with Glasgow club for almost seven days and currently seems poised to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks since the previous manager stepped down, securing six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the team to a League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of the club between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he is to oversee Celtic for Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy steps into the role.

"He's the man that will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It resembles a chapter in one's life that makes you wonder 'did that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Most certainly."

If Celtic defeat Dundee while Hearts overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory in his first match as manager.

"That's a good fixture for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally but I wish him all the best. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of confidence."

This self-belief comes from O'Neill's success in matches over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one defeat at the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss and his players then bounced back to secure a first away win on the continent since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was excellent. We have given the team an opportunity, with three matches left to try to qualify, however, the victory in Rotterdam was a restoration of confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill stated it has led to consideration about whether he would like to carry on managing in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a little think about things following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other gaffers."

"I've learned much. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss stated this is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that is okay either. It's very much his squad the minute he steps into the role."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental once the final whistle sounded on Wednesday.

"Do you mean am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Don't be ridiculous."