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Per the words of caretaker manager Martin O'Neill, Wilfried Nancy will be in the Celtic dugout during this weekend's Premiership fixture versus Hearts.

The manager has been engaged in detailed discussions with the Parkhead side for almost a week and currently appears ready to wrap up a contract.

Martin O'Neill has served as temporary gaffer for more than a month ever since the previous manager departed, notching six victories in seven matches, reducing Hearts' lead of the Scottish Premiership and guiding the team to Premier Sports Cup place in the final.

The veteran manager, who previously managed the club between 2000 and 2005, had already said he believed Sunday's visit to Easter Road – a 2-1 victory – was likely to be his final act in his return at the helm.

However, O'Neill stated he will oversee the team in Wednesday's league encounter against Dundee before Wilfried Nancy assumes control.

"He is the individual that will be coming in," O'Neill told the radio station. "I believed it was over on Sunday, but there's some paperwork still to be sorted. Wednesday will assuredly be my last match."

An Unusual Period

"It has been surreal," O'Neill continued. "It resembles a part in one's life that makes you wonder 'did all of that really happen?' Am I pleased that I've done it? Absolutely."

If the Hoops beat their opponents and Hearts defeat Killie on Wednesday, Nancy could lead his new club to the top of the table if they win in his debut game in charge.

"That's a nice one for Nancy against Hearts," O'Neill said. "A good way to start. It will be a challenging fixture naturally and good luck to him. At least he inherits a side with a bit of self-belief."

That confidence stems from the positive run in matches over the past five weeks, a period where he suffered just one defeat – a 3-1 defeat away to the Danish side in the European competition.

Nevertheless, the former Irish national team boss along with his squad were then able to claim a first victory on the road on the continent since way back in 2021 as they beat Feyenoord 3-1 recently.

A Confidence Boost

"We lost to Midtjylland," O'Neill said. "That was a tough game – a few weeks earlier they defeated Nottingham Forest, so that was a challenge. To go to Feyenoord and win away from home was excellent. We have given the team a chance, there are three games remaining to attempt qualification, however, the Feyenoord game helped restore belief."

Future Ambitions

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

"I genuinely am unsure," he said. "I'll take a little think on everything following Wednesday evening."

"It wasn't easy," he added. "I felt a fear of failure – that is always a big concern. I used to boast I could do the job just as poorly as a lot of other managers."

"I have learned a lot. I have had some excellent young coaches working with me and it has served as a new lease on life personally in several respects, working with young players daily."

A Potential Advisory Position?

On the subject of whether he will stay with the club as an advisor, the ex- Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland manager says that is completely the decision of Nancy.

"That is really for the new boss to make," O'Neill stated. "He must be allowed his own space. Should he desire my opinion on matters, that is acceptable. If not, that is perfectly fine at all. It's very much his team the moment he steps into the job."

TalkSport host the interviewer concluded by asking by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional or sentimental once the full-time whistle sounded in the Dundee game.

"Are you asking am I going to cry?" O'Neill replied. "Please don't be silly."