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According to caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy is expected to be leading Celtic during this weekend's Scottish Premiership match versus Hearts.

Columbus Crew's head coach has been part of serious talks with Glasgow club for almost a week and currently seems poised to wrap up a contract.

O'Neill has served as interim boss for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, securing six victories in seven matches, reducing the lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a League Cup place in the final.

The 73-year-old, who once coached Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had previously suggested he thought Sunday's match at Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be the last game in his second spell in charge.

Yet, O'Neill stated he will lead the team in the midweek league encounter against Dundee before Nancy steps into the role.

"He is the man who will be taking over," stated O'Neill to the radio station. "I believed my time was up on Sunday, but there remains paperwork yet to be sorted. The Dundee game will assuredly be my final game."

An Unusual Period

"This has been surreal," he added. "It resembles a chapter of your life that makes you wonder 'did that actually occur?' Am I happy that I've done it? Without a doubt."

Should the Hoops beat Dundee and the Jambos overcome Kilmarnock on Wednesday, the incoming boss could guide Celtic to the top of the Premiership with a victory during his first match as manager.

"It's a decent start for him against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It is going to be a tough match naturally and good luck to him. At the very least he takes over a team with some self-belief."

That confidence is a result of O'Neill's success during games in the last month or so, where he has lost only once – a three-one loss at Midtjylland during European competition.

Nevertheless, the ex- Republic of Ireland manager along with his squad subsequently managed to claim a first away win in Europe since 2021 by defeating Feyenoord 3-1 last week.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by them," O'Neill recalled. "That proved to be a difficult match – a couple of weeks before they thrashed Forest, making it a challenge. To travel to De Kuip and secure a victory away from home was terrific. We have given ourselves a chance, with three games left to try to qualify, but that Feyenoord game was key for confidence."

Thoughts on the Future

When asked for his reflections during his time as caretaker, O'Neill says it has led to thoughts about whether he would like to carry on in management going forward.

"I honestly don't know," he admitted. "I'll take a little think about things following the match on Wednesday."

"It wasn't easy," he continued. "I felt a fear of failure – which is always a big concern. I once joked that I was capable of doing the job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I've got some excellent coaching staff working with me and it's been a reinvigoration personally in several respects, working with young players daily."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic in a consultancy role, the former Leicester City, Villa and Republic of Ireland boss stated this is entirely up to Wilfried Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to decide," O'Neill stated. "He should be given free reign. Should he desire my input on things, that is acceptable. If he doesn't, that's not a problem at all. It becomes his squad the minute he steps into the breach."

Presenter Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional once the final whistle blew on Wednesday.

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