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

Columbus Crew's head coach has been engaged in advanced negotiations with Parkhead side for nearly seven days and now looks set to complete an agreement.

O'Neill has held the role of interim boss for over four weeks since Brendan Rodgers departed, notching six wins in seven matches, narrowing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership while also steering the Parkhead outfit to a Premier Sports Cup final spot.

The veteran manager, who previously managed Celtic between 2000 and 2005, had already indicated he thought Sunday's trip to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act of his second stint at the helm.

Yet, O'Neill revealed he will manage Celtic for Wednesday's Premiership match against Dens Park before Wilfried Nancy takes over.

"He's the individual set to be coming in," stated O'Neill to TalkSport. "I thought my time was up last weekend, but there remains formalities still to be dealt with. The Dundee game will assuredly be my last match."

A Surreal Spell

"It has been unreal," he added. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that actually occur?' Am I delighted that I took the role? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts overcome Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could guide his new club to summit of the Premiership with a victory during his opening fixture as manager.

"It's a good fixture for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A nice introduction. It will be a tough match of course but I wish him well. At least he inherits a team with some self-belief."

This self-belief comes from the positive run on the field in the last five weeks, a period where he lost only once – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side during European competition.

However, the ex- Irish national team boss along with his squad then bounced back to secure their first victory on the road on the continent since 2021 as they beat the Dutch club 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost by Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a couple of weeks before they defeated Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to De Kuip and win away from home was excellent. We have given ourselves a chance, there are three matches remaining to attempt qualification, but that victory in Rotterdam was key for confidence."

Future Ambitions

Upon being asked for his reflections on his time as interim boss, O'Neill says it has prompted consideration on if he desires to continue in management in the future.

"I honestly am unsure," he said. "I'll take a moment to reflect on everything after the match on Wednesday."

"It was challenging," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – which is an ever-present big concern. I once joked I could do this job equally as badly as many other managers."

"I've learned a lot. I've got some great coaching staff alongside me and it has served as a refresh personally in many ways, interacting with young players every day."

Consultancy Role?

On the subject of if he might remain at Celtic as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Wilfried Nancy.

"That decision is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He should be allowed his own space. If he wants my input on matters, that's fine. If not, that is okay at all. It becomes his squad the minute he enters the breach."

TalkSport host the interviewer ended the interview if O'Neill if he would be emotional once the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

"Are you asking if I will get tearful?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be stupid."