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As stated by interim boss Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout for Sunday's Scottish Premiership match against Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been involved in serious talks with the Glasgow club for almost a week and now looks set to finalize a contract.

Martin O'Neill has been acting as interim boss for over a month ever since the previous manager stepped down, notching six wins in seven matches, cutting into Hearts' lead in the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to a Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already said he thought Sunday's trip to Hibernian – a 2-1 victory – would be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will lead Celtic for the midweek Premiership match with Dens Park prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the individual who will be arriving," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I assumed it was over last weekend, however there's some paperwork yet to be completed. Wednesday will definitely be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"It's been unreal," he added. "It feels like a part of your life where you think 'did that really happen?' Am I happy that I've done it? Absolutely."

If Celtic beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie in midweek, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win during his debut game in charge.

"It's a good fixture for him versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A gentle introduction. It will be a difficult game naturally but good luck to him. At least he takes over a team with some confidence."

That confidence is a result of the positive run during games over the past month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss away to the Danish side in the Europa League.

However, the ex- Irish manager and his players subsequently managed to achieve their first away win on the continent since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

Rebuilding Belief

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill recalled. "That was a hard fixture – a couple of weeks earlier they mauled Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was terrific. We have given the team a chance, there are three matches left to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as caretaker, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration about whether he would like to continue managing going forward.

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

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is an ever-present big concern. I used to boast I could do the job equally as badly as a lot of other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some excellent young coaches alongside me and it has served as a refresh for me in several respects, working with young people every day."

A Potential Advisory Position?

Regarding if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland manager stated this is completely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He should be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his squad the moment he steps into the job."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Do you mean if I will cry?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."