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According to interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is slated to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Premiership match versus Heart of Midlothian.

Columbus Crew's manager has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a deal.

O'Neill has been acting as caretaker manager for more than a month since Brendan Rodgers departed, achieving six victories out of seven games, cutting into Hearts' lead in the league table while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he expected the match at Hibernian – which ended in a 2-1 win – would be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in Wednesday's league encounter with Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the person that will be taking over," O'Neill said to the radio station. "I thought it was over last weekend, but there remains formalities yet to be dealt with. Wednesday is certainly my last match."

A Bizarre Experience

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

If the Hoops defeat Dundee while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, the incoming boss could potentially take his new club to summit of the table with a victory during his first match as manager.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a tough match naturally but I wish him well. At the very least he inherits a team with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence is a result of the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 loss away to the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the former Republic of Ireland national team boss along with his squad were then able to secure their first victory on the road in Europe since 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a difficult match – a few weeks earlier they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and secure a victory away from home was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his thoughts during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to carry on in management in the future.

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

"It was not simple," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present major worry. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it's been a refresh for me in many ways, working with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

Regarding whether he will stay at Celtic in a consultancy role, the ex- Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is entirely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the incoming manager to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be given full autonomy. If he wants my advice on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill whether he might get emotional or sentimental when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill responded. "Please don't be silly."