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As stated by caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match against Heart of Midlothian.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for nearly a week and now looks set to wrap up an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of caretaker manager for more than a month since the previous manager departed, notching six victories in seven matches, cutting into the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the club to League Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, a former boss of Celtic between 2000 to 2005, had already said he believed the match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game of his second spell at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill stated he is to oversee Celtic in the midweek league encounter against Dundee prior to Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He's the person who will be taking over," O'Neill told TalkSport. "I thought my time was up on Sunday, however there's some formalities still to be completed. Wednesday is certainly the end for me."

A Bizarre Experience

"It has been like a dream," he added. "It feels like a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I happy that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Kilmarnock in midweek, Nancy could lead Celtic to summit of the table with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a decent start for Nancy versus Hearts," remarked O'Neill. "A nice introduction. It will be a challenging fixture of course and good luck to him. At the very least he's getting a side with a bit of confidence."

The team's morale comes from the interim manager's results in matches in the last month or so, a period where he lost only once – a three-one loss at the Danish side during European competition.

However, the former Irish manager and his players then bounced back to achieve a first away win in Europe since way back in 2021 with a win over the Dutch club 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We were defeated by them," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Nottingham Forest, making it difficult. To travel to Feyenoord and win on their patch was excellent. We've given ourselves an opportunity, there are three games remaining to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was a restoration of confidence."

What Comes Next

Upon being asked for his reflections during his spell as interim boss, O'Neill says it has led to consideration on if he desires to continue managing in the future.

"I honestly don't know," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It was not simple," he continued. "There was apprehension about failing – which is an ever-present major worry. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in many ways, dealing with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That is solely for the new boss to decide," O'Neill said. "He must be allowed his own space. If he wants my opinion on things, that's fine. If not, that is perfectly fine either. It's very much his team the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill whether he might get emotional once the final whistle blew in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Don't be ridiculous."