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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be on the Celtic touchline during this weekend's Scottish Premiership fixture versus Heart of Midlothian.

The head coach has been engaged in detailed discussions with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now appears ready to wrap up an agreement.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month since the previous manager departed, achieving six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club from 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the visit to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second stint at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in Wednesday's Premiership match against Dundee before Nancy assumes control.

"He's the man set to be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains formalities still to be completed. Wednesday will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a part of your life where you think 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

Should the Hoops defeat their opponents while the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to summit of the table if they win during his first match in charge.

"That's a nice one for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It is going to be a difficult game of course but good luck to him. At the very least he inherits a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale is a result of the positive run on the field over the past month or so, where he has suffered just one defeat – a three-one defeat at the Danish side in the European competition.

However, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad then bounced back to claim their first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

Rebuilding Belief

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they defeated Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was terrific. We've given the team an opportunity, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, but that Feyenoord game was key for belief."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill stated it has prompted thoughts about whether he desires to continue in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a wee think on everything after Wednesday evening."

"It was challenging," he added. "There was the fear of failing – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I have had some great young coaches alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life for me in many ways, interacting with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the former Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for Nancy to decide," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my input on things, that's fine. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his team the minute he enters the job."

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

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