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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Scottish Premiership clash against Heart of Midlothian.

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

Martin O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, securing six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The 73-year-old, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He is the person that will be arriving," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I assumed it was over on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be dealt with. The Dundee game will definitely be my final game."

A Surreal Spell

"It's been like a dream," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a chapter in one's life where you think 'did all of that really happen?' Am I delighted that I've done it? Without a doubt."

If Celtic beat Dundee and the Jambos defeat Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to the top of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It is going to be a challenging fixture naturally and I wish him well. At the very least he's getting a side full of self-belief."

The team's morale comes from O'Neill's success during games over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at Midtjylland during Europa League.

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

Restoration of Confidence

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win on their patch was fantastic. We have given the team a chance, with three games left to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam helped restore belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his thoughts on his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he would like to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I will have a moment to reflect on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "There was the fear of failing – that is an ever-present major worry. I once joked I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned much. I have had some great young coaches working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in many ways, dealing with young people daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland boss says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That decision is solely for Nancy to make," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If not, that is okay either. It's very much his team the minute he steps into the role."

Presenter Jim White concluded by asking if 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 replied. "Please don't be ridiculous."