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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been part of detailed discussions with Glasgow club for nearly a week and now appears ready to finalize an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as temporary gaffer for more than four weeks ever since Brendan Rodgers resigned, notching six victories out of seven games, reducing Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the club to a League Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had previously suggested he believed Sunday's match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – was likely to be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill revealed he will lead Celtic in the midweek league encounter with Dens Park prior to Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, however there remains paperwork still to be dealt with. The Dundee game is certainly my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"This has been like a dream," he added. "It's like a chapter of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted to have taken it on? Most certainly."

Should Celtic beat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to the top of the Premiership with a victory in his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for him against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A good way to start. It will be a tough match of course but good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a team with some confidence."

The team's morale is a result of O'Neill's success on the field over the past month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side during Europa League.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland national team boss and his players were then able to claim a first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Forest, making it difficult. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory on their patch was terrific. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

When asked for his reflections on his spell as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted consideration on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I genuinely don't know," he said. "I will have a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is always a major worry. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it's been a reinvigoration for me in several respects, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the incoming manager to make," O'Neill said. "He should be given free reign. If he wants my advice on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that's not a problem at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host Jim White concluded by asking by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be stupid."